Sardis
Where is Sardis today? Sart near Salihli, Manisa; once capital of Lydia, and Revelation's church with a name for being alive, yet dead, with its chapters.
- Today
- Sart, Salihli, Manisa
- Country
- Türkiye
- Status
- Archaeological site: Ancient Sardis
- Identification
- Certain
Sart, ancient Sardis, was once the capital of the kingdom of Lydia and remained one of the region's important cities in Roman times. It is one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation; the Kadıköy Kilise translation spells it Sart both in Revelation 1:11 and in chapter 3, where the letter appears. The word to this church is stern: it has a reputation for being alive, but it is dead (Revelation 3:1). It is told to wake up, remember what it received and heard, and repent. Still, a few who have not soiled their garments are promised that they will walk with Christ in white (Revelation 3:4).
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- What Is a Church (Kilise)?
What is a church, what does the word mean and what does it refer to in the Bible? A short, neutral guide to community vs. building, its origin and its different traditions.
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Where is Sardis today, and in which province?
Sardis is in Türkiye today, at Sart in the Salihli district of Manisa, at the foot of Mount Bozdağ. In Revelation the church here, known for being alive, is called to wake up (Revelation 3:1-3). The site includes a large bath-gymnasium complex, one of the largest known synagogues of the ancient world and the remains of a huge Temple of Artemis; a small Byzantine church stands at one corner of the temple.
Why was the church in Sardis called dead in Revelation?
According to Revelation 3:1, the church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but Christ did not find its works complete in the sight of God (Revelation 3:2). The problem was an outward liveliness not matched by living faith within. The church is called to wake up, strengthen what remains and repent; if it does not keep watch, Christ will come like a thief.
Are Sart and Sardis the same place?
Yes. Sardis is the ancient name of the city; the settlement beside the ruins is called Sart today and belongs to the Salihli district of Manisa. The Kadıköy Kilise translation spells it Sart in Revelation 1:11, 3:1 and 3:4.