Visiting the ‘last home’ of the Virgin Mary

Though Turkey is a fantastic destination for shoppers and leisure seekers, with its numerous exciting historical monuments and magnificent buildings, the country also has religious significance as a centre for Christian and Muslim pilgrims. The intriguing thing about Turkey is that though about 99 per cent of its population is Muslim, the country has been […]

Though Turkey is a fantastic destination for shoppers and leisure seekers, with its numerous exciting historical monuments and magnificent buildings, the country also has religious significance as a centre for Christian and Muslim pilgrims.
The intriguing thing about Turkey is that though about 99 per cent of its population is Muslim, the country has been able to blend Islam with Christianity. Followers of both religions live together peacefully despite the difference between the two faiths. The country is dotted with ancient buildings like palaces, mosques, churches and grand bazaars among other relics.
One of Turkey’s famous holy sites is the ‘House of the Virgin Mary’ in Ephesus. According to a tourist guide, Miss Ai Lam, Mother Mary came to Ephesus with St. John six years after the death of Jesus Christ. The house is believed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary.
Many believe that the house was indeed the place where she spent her final days; today you can visit the restored stone house, which serves as a chapel.
The house is a famous pilgrimage site not only for Christians, but   for Muslims too who troop in daily to see the last home of Mother Mary. Remnants of the chapel are believed to date as far back as the 6th century; and its caretakers, the Lazarist Fathers, conduct Mass there every day. You will always find a Catholic priest there reading the Holy Bible and saying prayers no matter what time of the day. Aside from the altar within, the house still contains a bedroom and kitchen, decorated with pictures of the Virgin Mary and candles.
On entering into the house, you are informed by the security guard that visitors and pilgrims alike are not allowed the use of electronic devices or to take pictures. Weekly Trust met a Lazarist priest there who prayed for all Nigerian pilgrims, members of an interfaith group, who then took turns to pray in whatever language they chose.
“I pray for the peace and unity of Nigeria and pray that all the wishes of this great country, Nigeria come to pass; this I pray in Jesus name. And may the peace and blessings of Allah continue to be with you all,” prays the Lazarist priest.
Addressing the interfaith group from Nigeria, the Lazarist priest says: “I am happy to see that both religions (Christianity and Islam) can come together as one and embark on a pilgrimage tour. This unity and understanding, I pray will extend to the whole country.”
Christian pilgrims from the interfaith group then say their prayers and go on to tour the surroundings of the Virgin Mary’s home, where a natural spring runs beneath the shrine. Many believe the spring water flowing on a mountaintop in an otherwise arid countryside is blessed and has healing powers. Many pilgrims who visit the place fetch the water to take back to their home countries.
There is also a section of the home where pilgrims hang their prayer requests. That section is believed to be the place where Mother Mary always prayed when she lived in the house. Looking at the wall, it is clear that millions of pilgrims have visited the shrine since the first pilgrims came to the ‘House of the Virgin’ in 1896, five years after its discovery.
The tour guide tells the group that Muslim pilgrims use the room believed to have been the Virgin Mary’s bedroom, to say their prayers at the appointed hours. Translations of Qur’anic verses that mention Mary are on display in the room.
Interestingly, Pope Paul VI visited the shrine at Ephesus on July 26, 1967, to pay his respects to the Virgin Mary. Pope John Paul II was also there on Nov. 30, 1979 when he declared the house as a place of pilgrimage for Christians after celebrating Mass and offering prayers there. Every August 15, Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate the festival of the Assumption of Mary at the shrine.
Indeed, there are numerous biblical sites to behold in Turkey. Sister Agatha Chikelue, a Nigerian Catholic nun and member of the interfaith group, says: “It was an amazing thing to behold that we are actually in a Muslim country. Going to the house of the Virgin Mary was soul lifting and purifying. It was a thought provoking moment for me to think that Turkey is a country that has 99 per cent of its population as Muslims but still gives all this respect to Christians.”
The nun adds: “A lot of Christians go there for pilgrimage; so I ask myself ‘why can’t we have the same peace in Nigeria and live in peace like what we have in Turkey?’ It is also amazing the regard and dignity the Turkish people have for the home of Mother Mary. Truly, this is a home of peace for all irrespective of your religion.”
Another historical site for Christian pilgrims is The Church of Mary, located close to the Virgin’s shrine. This is the first church in history to be named after the Virgin Mary, a tour guide tells the group.
The church of St. John which is located in Tarsus, is also a must-see site for Christian pilgrims. After St. Paul’s execution, St. John is said to have taken over the leadership of the church at Ephesus, where he wrote his gospel and letters. After his death, he was buried in Ephesus according to his wishes and the spot where he was buried now forms the center of the church of St John. Tarsus also hosts the graves of the Prophet Daniel, Cleopatra gate and Tarsus Museum.
Turkey for some years now has played host to various Christian organisations from Nigeria.
Mrs. Aisha Yigit, women coordinator of UFUK Dialogue Foundation, Nigeria, which organised the interfaith pilgrimage, says: “over the last three years the number of Christian pilgrims we have had has increased. I call them pilgrims, because when they come they are on a pilgrimage in Turkey. Most of them and so many others who have not visited Turkey before knew the names of some of the biblical sites, but they did not know that they really exist in Turkey.
“When they come to Turkey they are amazed at the state in which some of these places have been preserved especially in a Muslim country. We want to spread the gospel that we all worship the same God and should have respect and understanding for one another.”