House of the Virgin Mary

House of the Virgin Mary (13951299641) (cropped)

The House of the Virgin Mary (Turkish: Meryemana Evi ) is a Catholic and Muslim shrine located on Mt. Koressos (Turkish: Bülbüldağı) in the vicinity of Ephesus, in Turkey. The house is believed by some to be the last residence of Mary, mother of Jesus.

History

The belief that Mary spent her last years in this house is based on the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, a Roman Catholic nun and visionary, whose revelations were recorded by the poet Clemens Brentano. According to these visions, John the Apostle brought Mary to this house after the crucifixion of Jesus, and she lived there until her Assumption.

Discovery

The house was discovered in the 19th century following the descriptions in Emmerich's visions. In 1891, a French priest, Julien Gouyet, found a small stone building that matched the descriptions. Subsequent investigations by the Lazarists confirmed the location, and the site was declared a shrine.

Religious Significance

The House of the Virgin Mary is a place of pilgrimage for both Christians and Muslims. Pope Leo XIII visited the shrine in 1896, and it has since been visited by several other popes, including Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI. The site is also revered by Muslims, who recognize Mary as the mother of the prophet Isa.

Architecture

The house is a modest stone structure consisting of a central room and a smaller room to the right, which is believed to have been Mary's bedroom. The building has been restored and maintained over the years, preserving its historical and religious significance.

Pilgrimage

The site attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, especially on August 15, the day of the Feast of the Assumption. Pilgrims often leave written prayers and light candles at the shrine.

See also

• Ephesus
• Mary, mother of Jesus
• Assumption of Mary
• John the Apostle
• Anne Catherine Emmerich