In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough in Turkey, experts have unearthed a fresco depicting Jesus in the guise of a “Good Shepherd” with Roman features. This discovery is being lauded as a significant contribution to our understanding of early Christian art from Anatolia.

This striking fresco came to light in August during an excavation of an underground tomb near Iznik, a town historically significant for being the site where the Nicene Creed was established in A.D. 325. The tomb is estimated to date back to the third century, a period when the region was part of the Roman Empire and Christians were often persecuted.

Archaeologists are diligently cleaning and restoring the frescoes within this ancient tomb, which dates to the third century. Among these, the rare depiction of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” has garnered considerable attention. The discovery took place in Iznik, Turkey, on Friday, December 12, 2025, as captured by Khalil Hamra for AP Photo.

The fresco illustrates a youthful, clean-shaven Jesus clad in a toga, with a goat perched on his shoulders, as reported by The Associated Press—the first international media outlet granted access to the tomb. The artwork is particularly notable for portraying Jesus with Roman stylistic elements, a rarity in Anatolian depictions.

The project’s lead archaeologist has suggested that this fresco may be a unique example in Anatolia, according to the AP’s coverage.

A fresco depicting Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” adorns the wall of a 3rd-century tomb in Hisardere, where archaeologists uncovered one of Anatolia’s best-preserved early Christian artworks, in Iznik, Turkey, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (Khalil Hamra/AP Phto)

Pope Leo XIV recently visited the town as part of his first overseas trip since taking the helm of the Vatican. While in Iznik, Pope Leo XIV marked the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which set forth the Nicene Creed that millions of Christians still read today.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Pope Leo XIV (R) with an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkiye, on Nov. 27, 2025.  (Utku Ucrak/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented a tile painting of the “Good Shepherd” discovery to the pope, according to the AP.

While in Turkey, Pope Leo XIV was joined by Eastern and Western patriarchs and priests as they prayed that Christians would one day be united once again. They prayed together over the site where the council produced the Nicene Creed. The men recited the creed, which the pope said was “of fundamental importance in the journey that Christians are making toward full communion,” according to the AP.