File:Finn's sketch of doorway+Greek inscription at Castle in Mejdal Yaba in 1850.PNG

English: Sketch of doorway surmounted by a lintel with an ancient Greek inscription at the medieval castle in Mejdel Yaba in 1850.

The discovery of a Greek inscription was made by James Finn, British Consul in Jerusalem. He visited the village and castle at Mejdal Yaba in 1850.

When surveying a church attached to the castle he saw a Greek inscription upon a lintel. This Greek Inscription on a winged tablet on top of a side doorway at a building attached to castle built on the ruins of Mirabel fortress, a medieval Crusader stronghold of the Lordship of Mirabel (Migdal/Mejdal fortress). The Ancient Greek inscription reads:

«ΜΑΡΤΥΡΙΟΝ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΚΗΡΥΚΟΥ»

In his book Byeways in Palestine, Finn provides along with a sketch of the entrance his own English translation of the Greek inscription: Martyr Memorial Church of the Holy Herald-i.e., John the Baptist. (Byeways in Palestine)

Finn's rendition of the inscription in Greek letters is correct. He interpretes the term Holy Herald formerly used as a designation of John the Baptist ascribing to him in the first place the office of a herald, preacher (gr. ΚΗΡΥΞ) instead of baptizer, i.e. a prophet heralding the coming of Jesus.

Literally, however, one would translate «ΜΑΡΤΥΡΙΟΝ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΚΗΡΥΚΟΥ» as Martyrdom of the Holy Herald.