Near Sultaniye in Selçuk, İzmir, Turkey — West Asia or Southeast Europe

The Last Home of the Blessed Virgin the Mother of Jesus Christ

Historic Notes About the Shrine

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 20, 2015

1. Historic Notes About the Shrine Marker

Inscription.

The Last Home of the Blessed Virgin the Mother of Jesus Christ. Historic Notes About the Shrine. This place is considered to be the last home of the Blessed Virgin the Mother of Jesus Christ., The Facts as found in the Scriptures: . St. John in (h)is Gospel tells us that Jesus before dying on the Cross entrusted to him the care of His Mother when he said, "here is your mother" and from that hour St. John took Her to his own. . The "Acts of the Apostles" relate how, after the dead of Christ, His followers were persecuted in Jerusalem St. Stephen was stoned in 37 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: Saint John was given Asia Minor. Now Mary had been given to his care and with the persecutions he probably brought her with him., The facts are confirmed historically: There are two evidences: . The presence of the tomb of St. John in Ephesus . The presence of the first Basilica of the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Also the Ecumenical Council of 431 A.D. was held in Ephesus in this Basilica for the definition of the dogma of the Divine Motherhood of Mary The Council Fathers write about Nestorius: "...after his arrival to Ephesus, where John the Theologian and the Holy Virgin, Mother of God...", Finally we find another oral confirmation preserved faithfully by the Orthodox villagers of Kirkince. These people where the descendents of the Christians of Ephesus. They had passed from generation the belief of the Dormition of Mary in this place so they called Panaghja Kapulu. They have kept this tradition alive through the annual pilgrimage of 15th of August., Discovery of this place: In the last century there appeared a book: "the life of the Blessed Virgin" published in Germany. The material of this book comes from the revelations of a German stigmatized nun, Catherina Emmerich. She was 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, two scientific expeditions were organized in 1891 and they found this place in perfect and identical correspondent with the indications of Catherina Emmerich., The Chapel: The Chapel was rebuilt upon the original foundations of the house of the Blessed Virgin and have been determined to date back to the 1st and 4th centuries. Part of the building is of the 7th century and the last restoration took place in 1951. .

This place is considered to be the last home of the Blessed Virgin the Mother of Jesus Christ.

The Facts as found in the Scriptures:
• St. John in (h)is Gospel tells us that Jesus before dying on the Cross entrusted to him the care of His Mother when he said, "here is your mother" and from that hour St. John took Her to his own.
• The "Acts of the Apostles" relate how, after the dead of Christ,
His followers were persecuted in Jerusalem
St. Stephen was stoned in 37 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: Saint John was given Asia Minor. Now Mary had been given to his care and with the persecutions he probably brought her with him.

The facts are confirmed historically:
There are two evidences:
• The presence of the tomb of St. John in Ephesus
• The presence of the first Basilica of the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Also the Ecumenical Council of 431 A.D. was held in Ephesus in this Basilica for the definition of the dogma of the Divine Motherhood of Mary
The Council Fathers write about Nestorius: "...after his arrival to Ephesus, where John the Theologian and the Holy Virgin, Mother of God..."

Finally we find another oral confirmation
Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online
preserved faithfully by the Orthodox villagers of Kirkince. These people where the descendents of the Christians of Ephesus. They had passed from generation the belief of the Dormition of Mary in this place
so they called Panaghja Kapulu.
They have kept this tradition alive through the annual pilgrimage of 15th of August.

Discovery of this place:
In the last century there appeared a book: "the life of the Blessed Virgin" published in Germany. The material of this book comes from the revelations of a German stigmatized nun, Catherina Emmerich. She was 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, two scientific expeditions were organized in 1891 and they found this place in perfect and identical correspondent with the indications of Catherina Emmerich.

The Chapel:
The Chapel was rebuilt upon the original foundations of the house of the Blessed Virgin and have been determined to date back to the 1st and 4th centuries. Part of the building is of the 7th century and the last restoration took place in 1951.

Erected by The American Society of Ephesus, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 20, 2015

2. Historic Notes About the Shrine Marker

View of the marker looking west along the walking path, towards the site of the Ancient Baptismal Pool.

• Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 37° 54.714′ N, 27° 20.001′ E. Marker is near Sultaniye, İzmir, in Selçuk. Marker can be reached from Meryem Ana Yolu just west of Atatürk Cd. (Route D550) when traveling east. Marker is on the south side of the pathway to the shrine, east of the parking area off Meryem Ana Yolu, southeast of the main ruins of ancient Ephesus, and approximately 4.3 miles southwest from the city of Selçuk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sultaniye, İzmir 35920, Turkey. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Last Home of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Jesus Christ (within shouting distance of this marker); The Inscriptions Museum (approx. 2.8 kilometers away); Hydrekdocheion (approx. 2.8 kilometers away); Temple on the 'State Agora' (approx. 2.9 kilometers away); Research History of Ephesos (approx. 2.9 kilometers away); The Early Ephesos (approx. 2.9 kilometers away); Processional Way (approx. 2.9 kilometers away); The Hellenistic Ephesos (approx. 2.9 kilometers away).

More about this marker. There is a very good chance that this marker has replaced the "Last Home of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Jesus Christ" marker that was posted

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 20, 2015

3. Historic Notes About the Shrine Marker

View of the nearby site of the Ancient Baptismal Pool.

by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill Maryland, back in 2011. Both markers, with several minor exceptions, have virtually the same text, and the marker seen in the 2011 pictures seems to be getting worn and weathered, so an updated replacement is very likely. Unfortunately, when I visited the site in 2015, I wasn't aware of the 2011 era markers, so I wasn't looking specifically for them, so from my present vantage point, I cannot say with certainty that the marker posted in 2011 has been replaced with an updated version (but it most probably has been).

Also see . . .
1. American Society of Ephesus – George B Quatman Foundation. This is a link to marker related information provided by the American Society of Ephesus. (Submitted on March 25, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

2. House of the Virgin Mary. This is a link to marker related information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on March 25, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 20, 2015

4. Historic Notes About the Shrine Marker

View of the marker looking west along the walking path, towards what some consider to be the site of the last home of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Jesus Christ.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 20, 2015

5. Historic Notes About the Shrine Marker

View of the nearby last home of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Jesus Christ.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 20, 2015

6. Historic Notes About the Shrine Marker

Another view of the last home of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Jesus Christ

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 20, 2015

7. Historic Notes About the Shrine Marker

View of additional religious shrines and memorials that are located on the grounds of the last home of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Jesus Christ.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 25, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.