Christian tradition about the final years of the Virgin Mary after the Crucifixion of Jesus is divided into two main versions. According to one tradition, Mary remained in Jerusalem after the death of Christ. She is said to have lived there together with Saint John the Evangelist and to have died in Jerusalem. This belief is linked to Mount Zion, where the Church of the Dormition stands today and is traditionally accepted as the place of her death.
Another strong and ancient tradition claims that Saint John took the Virgin Mary to Ephesus. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus entrusted his mother to John while he was on the cross. Supporters of this tradition believe that John later brought Mary to Ephesus, where she lived for more than ten years and died at the age of sixty-four Bulgaria Vacations.
Mary’s Life Between Ephesus and Jerusalem
According to the Ephesian tradition, Mary did not remain permanently in one place. During her time in Ephesus, she is said to have visited the Holy Land several times. On one such visit to Jerusalem, she became seriously ill, and a tomb was prepared for her there. However, she recovered from her illness and returned to Ephesus.
It is believed that the tradition claiming Mary died in Jerusalem developed from this episode. Because a tomb had been prepared for her, later generations may have assumed that she was buried there, even though she had survived and returned to Ephesus.
Early Opposition to the Ephesian Tradition
Attempts to reject the belief that Mary spent her final years in Ephesus can be traced back to the fourth century. The existence of these arguments suggests that the Ephesian tradition itself must be older and already well established by that time.
An important sign of the strength of this belief is the fact that the Third Ecumenical Council was held in Ephesus in 431. This council took place in the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The choice of Ephesus for such an important gathering strongly suggests that the presence of the Virgin in the city was widely accepted and respected in early Christian tradition The Turning Point Under Constantine the Great.
Location of the House of the Virgin
The House of the Virgin Mary is located on a mountain known in antiquity as Solmissus, today called Aladağ. It stands about seven kilometres from the ancient ruins of Ephesus. The peaceful and secluded setting fits well with the tradition that Mary lived a quiet life there under the care of Saint John.
The visible structure of the building is usually dated to the fourth century. However, no detailed archaeological excavation has been carried out to determine whether the foundations of the house go back to the first century, which would support the tradition even further.
Rediscovery in the Modern Period
The site was identified in 1891 by the Lazarist priests of Smyrna (İzmir). Their discovery was based on the visions and writings of a German nun named Anne Catherine Emmerich, who described the location and appearance of Mary’s house in great detail, even though she had never visited Ephesus.
Architectural Development of the Site
It is believed that the original structure served as a simple house where the Virgin Mary lived. In the sixth century, this house was rebuilt and enlarged to form a small chapel with a cross-shaped plan. In later periods, additional rooms were added around it.
Today, the House of the Virgin Mary is an important place of pilgrimage for Christians and a site of respect for people of different faiths, reflecting its lasting spiritual and historical significance.
