Day 5: We disembarked in Kuşadası, Türkiye where we found the ancient city of Ephesus. I was told the ruins here far exceeded those of Rome. They were exquisite. Our guide was an archeologist himself, often signing up to help at the local excavation sites. He was eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to be accepted at the site in Ephesus.
Firsts we were really blessed to be able to briefly visit the shrine of Mary, Jesus’ mother. “According to Christian tradition, after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the apostle John took Mary to Ephesus for safety. It is believed that Mary lived the final years of her life in a small stone house on Bulbul Mountain, which later became known as the House of the Virgin Mary.” (ephesiantourism.com)
Paul came to Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey and stayed with his friends, Aquila and Priscilla. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was pretty successful, although he still ticked off people who made a profit off of those who wroshipped the great goddess Artemis, whose temple was one of the seven wonders of the world. A particular silversmith, Demetrius, was not at all pleased with Paul’s success at converting people, even sorcerers, to the One God. Demetrius and his craftsmen made a lot of money from silver shrines to Artemis and the conversions were impacting his profit margin. So, Demetrius started a riot agianst Paul and his co-workers which the city clerk eventually was able to quiet the crowd.
Paul worked in Ephesus for about 3 years and Christianity was embraced by the people so much so that by the time the Goths destroyed the Temple of Artemis in 286 CE, there was no attempt to rebuild it a fourth time. The first temple, though, had been erected in the Bronze Age, circa 1100 BCE.
The Library of Celsus was magnificent, as was the great ampitheater where Paul’s frineds were hauled before the angry rioters. There is so much restored of this city one could almost hear the ancient voices going about their daily lives and Paul preaching and performing extraordinary healings and miracles during his time there.
Bonus Turkish Carpet Display
We got to go to a place where they weave and tie the Turkish carpets by hand and see the silkworms and the weavers spinning the silk. Unbleievable skill and artistry.
Isle of Patmos
It was believed the the disciple John was exiled to Patmos during a time of persecution under the Roman rule of Domitian in the late 1st century. Revelation 1:9: “I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation… was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
It is definitely easy to believe that Patmos was chosen as an island of exile by the Romans because it is really far away from any mainland influence. John must have wondered what was next. He was miles away from his churches, he was a very old man by now, and I can imigaine he thought he’d die alone and exiled on this island. But, no, a trumpet blows, an angel shows up, and Jesus gives him a whole revelation to write. Take note. An old man who still had purpose.
According to tradition, John employed a scribe or secretary named Prochorus who is one of the first deacons recorded in Acts 6:5. Prochorus was a Greek speaking Jew and so his communication would be Greek and perhaps more advanced than that of John. There are many icons that show John dictating to Prochorus from the cave in Patmos.
it was disappointing to be hearded like cattle with hundreds of others tourists through the grotto and the monastery of St. John. There was no time to take it in and we were saddened by the long lines and not being allowed to stop and really look. How do we keep the holy in these sacred sites when so many people want to see them? It’s a bit like Jesus Disneyland. Nevertheless, seeing these places brings depth and meaning to the scriptures and history we’ve heard much of our lives. A sense of place makes the ancients seem much more human and not so different from us. We did enjoy some handmade pastries and a hot cup of Mountain Tea (very popular) in a tinty little cafe just below the monastery.
Magdalena's Musings 