It is believed that the apostle John spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and was buried on Ayosolug Hill. In the 4th century, three hundred years after his death, a small chapel was constructed over the grave. In veneration of St. John, the Emperor Justinian I built a basilica here in the 5th century.
Construction of the basilica began in 548 and was completed by 565. The building of the church was presided over by bishop Hypatius of Ephesus. After its completion, it was regarded as one of the holiest churches of its time. With the invasion of the Turks, the chapel was used as a mosque. In the 14th century an earthquake made the church structurally unsound, it fell into disuse and was eventually abandoned.
The Apostle John wrote the Fourth Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation on the Greek Island of Patmos in 96AD. Together with his brother James, he began to follow Jesus while fishing on Lake Galilee. He became one of the Christ's closest disciples. According to tradition John took The Mother Mary and came to Ephesus. The House of the Virgin Mary is located 5 km from Ephesus on Bulbul mountain.
It is believed that the apostle John spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and was buried on Ayosolug Hill. In the 4th century, three hundred years after his death, a small chapel was constructed over the grave. In veneration of St. John, the Emperor Justinian I built a basilica here in the 5th century.
Construction of the basilica began in 548 and was completed by 565. The building of the church was presided over by bishop Hypatius of Ephesus. After its completion, it was regarded as one of the holiest churches of its time. With the invasion of the Turks, the chapel was used as a mosque. In the 14th century an earthquake made the church structurally unsound, it fell into disuse and was eventually abandoned.
The Apostle John wrote the Fourth Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation on the Greek Island of Patmos in 96AD. Together with his brother James, he began to follow Jesus while fishing on Lake Galilee. He became one of the Christ's closest disciples. According to tradition John took The Mother Mary and came to Ephesus. The House of the Virgin Mary is located 5 km from Ephesus on Bulbul mountain.
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