I will begin to post photos of the trip to Ephesus beginning with this group of photos of the Basilica of St. John. When St. John came to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary, he came to head the Church of Ephesus with the title of "The Apostle of Asia" and wrote his Gospel there. When he died he was buried according to his will at the spot which lies today in the church called by his name on Ayasuluk Hill.
In the 4th century, a church with a wooden roof was built around his tomb and in the reign of the emperor Justinian (AD 527-565), when the city was enjoying its third golden year, the church was turned into a domed basilica of which we see the remains today.
The great part of the edifice had elements taken from the old buildings of the city of Ephesus. From the 7th century on, Arab attacks increased with severity and destructiveness so the church was fortified and connected to the Ayasuluk Fortress. The walls have twenty towers all of different architecture. There are three main gates. Inside there are frescoes of Christ, St. John and an unknown saint. Also can be found a Baptistery dating back to the 5th century. At one time it boasted twelve domes.
The grave of St. John lies under the central dome. It is raised two steps to show its prominence. The belief that a healing powder came out of a hole in the burial chamber made this church one of the most visited places in Christendom through the Middle Ages.
Please enjoy these photos of the Basilica of St. John.
+JMJ+
“The grace of our Lord be with us forever.” ~ Sr. Marie
