The original Cathedral of Madaba, containing the famous Madaba Mosiac, was constructed between the years 540-565 a.d. during the reign of Justinian, the Byzantine Emporer of Constantinople. During this period, Madaba was one of the Diocese of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and was the most important city on the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River.

The Madaba Mosaic, located in the original Cathedral of Madaba, was used to guide early pilgrims to the Holy City of Jerusalem. The original size of the map was approximately 15 x 7 meters. It is estimated that this elaborate mosaic would have required 11,500 hours of labor to construct.

Following the great earthquake in 747 a.d., the town was deserted for centuries until a group from nearby Kerak (Kyriacopolis) was allowed to settle in the town by the Ottoman authorities in 1878. The famous Madaba Mosaic was discovered when the new inhabitants were digging to lay foundations for their homes.

The first essay on the Madaba Mosaic was published in 1884 by Rev. Kleopas Kikilides, the librarian of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. This discovery attracted scholars from all over the world. Shortly thereafter, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate undertook the construction of the present church on the foundations of the ruined church, thus saving a unique archeological treasure on earth. Today, thousands of visitors travel from all over the world to visit the Madaba Mosaic.