Trifter

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This place is considered to be the last home of the blessed Virgin, the Mother of Jesus Christ. The Facts according St. John, in his Gospel tells us that Jesus before dying on to the scriptures, the Cross entrusted to him the care of His Mother when he said: “Here is your Mother” and from that how St. John look Her to his own. The “Acts of the Apostles” relates how, after the death of Christ, His followers were persecuted in Jerusalem. St. Stephen was stoned in37 A.D St. James was beheaded in 42 A.D and they further relate how they divided the world between them for preaching the Gospel, and Saint John was give Asia Minor. Now Mary had been give to his care and with the persecutions, probably brought her with him to Asia Minor.

Image source : My own photo

The Facts Are Confirmed Historically

There are 2 evidences;1 the presence of the tomb Of St. John in Ephesus, and 2 the presence of the first Basilica of the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. In the early days of the church, places of worship were only dedicated to persons who had lived or died in the locality.

Also, the Ecumenical Council of 431 was held in Ephesus in this Basilica for the definition for the dogma of the Divine Motherhood of Mary. The Council Fathers write about Nestorius;”…after his arrival to Ephesus, where John the Treolgian and the Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God…”

There is another confirmation in the oral tradition of Villagers of Kirkindje. These people were the descondants of the Christians of Ephesus. They had passed from generation, the belief of the death of Mary in this place, sat they called PANAGHIA KAPULU. They have kept this tradition alive through the annual pilgrimage of 15th August.

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Discovery: 19th Century

During the 19th Century, book “Life of the Blessed Virgin” was published in Germany. The material for this book comes from the revelations of a stigmatized Nun, Anna Catherina Emmerich. She was an invalid and had never left Germany. In her visions she described with amazing accuracy the hills of Ephesus and house where she saw the Blessed Virgin spending her last years.

Accordingly, 2 scientific expeditions were organized, and they found this place perfectly agreeing with her description.

The Chapel was rebuilt upon the original foundations that have been determined to date as of the 1th and 4th Centuries. Part of building is of the 7th century and the last restoration took place in 1951.