Melissa Overmyer is an evangelist, author, and speaker. She is the founder of Something Greater Ministries and author of several books. Melissa is a convert to Catholicism and has her master’s degree in Catholic theology with a concentration in Sacred Scripture.
El Araj (Bethsaida) Excavation: The Lost City of the Apostles Discovered
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
6:30 pm EDT - 8:00 pm EDT
Catholic Information Center
1501 K Street NW
Washington,
DC
20005
United States
Description
In recent years, archeologists have made a monumental, once-in-a-life-time discovery at a significant archeological excavation in northern Israel in Galilee. The site is called El Araj. It was theorized to be biblical Bethsaida, the ancient home to Saint Peter, the “Chief of the Apostles and Keeper of the Keys of Heaven,” as well as his brother St. Andrew and St. Phillip.
So what is this evidence that proves this is Bethsaida?
On Tuesday, March 5 at 6:30 PM EDT, the CIC welcomes the Academic Director of the El Araj Excavation Project, Dr. R. Steven Notley, for a presentation. Dr. Notley will walk us through the finds by his team at El Araj and the evidence that this town is the home of St. Peter and the place where Jesus performed a number of His miracles, including the feeding of the 5,000 and walking on water.
Introducing Dr. Notley will be Melissa Overmyer, a dynamic Catholic evangelizer, who had the honor of digging with the archeologists one summer at El Araj. Melissa will share her personal testimony as a Catholic encountering these finds in Bethsaida.
This program will be offered both in-person and virtually through a livestream.
RSVP to join this program in-person or virtually through the livestream.
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May 5th Schedule:
- 6:15 PM: Doors open for check-in
- 6:30 PM: Presentation with Dr. Steven Notley and Melissa Overmyer (This portion of the evening is offered for both in-person and livestream participation.)
- 7:30 PM: Light happy (half) hour social
- 8:00 PM: Evening concludes
RSVP for this Event
About the Speakers
R. Steven Notley, PhD is the Academic Director of the El-Araj Excavation Project and the Professor and Dean of Religious Studies at Pillar College in Newark, New Jersey.
