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The '''Church of Mary Theotokos''' on Mount Gerizim was large octagonal [[church]] built in the late fifth century on top of Mount Gerizim, the sacred mountain of the Samaritans. The church was built during the reign of Emperor [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno]] in the late fifth century.

The Church of Mary Theotokos is located in the area now known as the West Bank, near the town of Nablus. The area is significant in the history of God’s God's peoples and is associated with many events described in the [[Holy Scripture]]s. It is the site of the Samaritan’s Samaritan's holy mountain and temple.

The most complete record of the origin of the church is from the writings of Procopius of [[Caesarea ]] who wrote about the revolt of the Samaritans that began with Emperor Zeno’s Zeno's decision to build the church on their holy mountain that was dedicated to Mary the Theotokos. As a result of these ill feelings the church was built within a fortified enclosure. Construction of the church began in 484. It was destroyed during the Arabian invasions of mid seventh century.

Yitzhak Magen. ‘’The ''The Church of Mary Theotokos on Mt. Gerizim,’’ '' Ancient Churches Revealed. Yoram Tsafrir, ed. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 1993. (ISBN 965-221-016-1)

[[Category: Churches|Mary Theotokos]][[Category:Churches in Palestine|Mary Theotokos]][[Category: Church History]]