In 431, the 3rd Ecumenical Council took place in Ephesus. The council met in the 2nd century building called by the same name today, The Church of the Virgin Mary. Since the Council it is also referred to as the Council Church. The aim of the Council was to solemnly pronounce Mary’s divine motherhood. Two hundred religious authorities held discussions for nearly three months. In the end it was pronounced as doctrine that the Virgin Mary had given birth to Christ, son of God, and Mary’s title of “Mother of God” was proclaimed in grandeur. In the early days of Christianity a church was only dedicated to a person if he or she had died in that place. At the time of the Council, the existence of a church dedicated to Mary in Ephesus, and only in Ephesus, is proof that Mary was thought to have died there. Also, in a letter from the Council Fathers, addressed to all the clergy announcing this doctrine of “Mary, Mother of God,” it added that the Council was conducted in Ephesus “in which place John the Theologian and the Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God were.” The Basilica of St. John (in the previous post) is found in Ephesus for the same reason; because he died there.
God gave us a beautiful sunny (but very windy!) day the second Sunday in October for Holy Mass in the first Church ever dedicated to Mary and in which she was pronounced Mother of God in the year 431. What an honor to receive my Lord Jesus in that Church under the mantle of His Mother and mine. Enjoy these photos of that special day full of grace that will always remain a precious memory of mine.
+JMJ+
“The grace of our Lord be with us forever.” ~ Sr. Marie
