The house of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus in Turkey.
Main entrance to the house.
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The Sacred Chapel. |
This is considered to be the last dwelling place of the Virgin Mary. It is believed that Mary was taken there by St John and she lived there until her Assumption . (37-45).
While the site has always been associated with the Virgin, the house was unknown until a German Augustinian nun called Catherine Emmerich, (1774-1824), she had never been to Ephesus yet she had a series of visions which enabled her to give exact directions to the house and a detailed description of it's appearance.
 Catherine Emmerich endured a life of suffering. She was a seer who witnessed scenes of the life of Christ with the vividness of one who was there. |
In 1891 the Lazarist order of Izmer, found it exactly where, and as she had described it: a brick house of the sixth century, it's foundations dating back to the first century.
In 1967 Pope Paul IV gave the house it's certificate of authenticity and later the house was visited by Pope John Paul the second.
The Virgin's tomb, according to Catherine Emmerich is about a mile from the house but has never been found.
The house is a busy pilgrimage site for the Roman Catholic Church, Muslim and Orthodox Faiths. They gather here for The Assumption of the Virgin on 15th August.
Selcuk Castle overlooking the town
The House of the Virgin Mary is in a municipal park 8km east of Selcuk, a
delightful town considered to be the modern day Ephesus.
I return again to my favourite place in Asia Minor ....Turkey....It is such a beautiful country, oozing with verdant countryside white sand beaches, ancient history, fabulous architecture, delicious cuisine and the most hospitable people ever. I hope you are enjoying my journey.
Delicious Chicken Kebabs.
Baked Mushroom stuffed Aubergine.
Beautiful Town and beautiful people.
Hoska kalin.( stay happy).
My thanks to the MARVELLOUS Denise for devising ABCW and the METICULOUS Roger for his memorable administration.
Hope all had a lovely Eastertime.
Best wishes Di .
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