The ancient city of Kilistra, located in Hatunsaray town of Meram district of Konya today, has a strategic importance in terms of Early and Middle Period Christian history due to the church in the city.. Although the city was planned as a Roman military base, in the following years, especially after St. Paul and Barnabas escaped from Konya and came to Lystra and started apostolize, the city was filled with churches and temples due to the increasing Christian population. Among the churches in the ancient city, one of the most important is the Cross-Planned Chapel and the Cross Church, also known as Sandıkkaya.

The Church of the Cross (Rock) got its name from the huge piece of rock on which it...