Day 82: Kusadasi, Turkey

Tour Guide shows us were we are

Heading uphill slowly but steady

This person wasn't going slow and steady.

A motorcoach tour from the port of Kusadasi to the Shrine of the Virgin Mary is a scenic delight

In a once-in-a-lifetime experience, travel to the picturesque Solmissos Mountains and attend a special interdenominational mass, including communion at the Virgin Mary Shrine which is recognized by the Vatican as a Holy Place. This small shrine, surrounded by lush foliage and dedicated to St. Mary, was found in the ruins when the house, believed to be her final home, was first discovered. The shrine is still cared for by the Lazarist Fathers, and you will take part in a very special mass service and receive communion in this beautiful setting.

"On the way to the shrine, visitors pass a key hole-shaped baptismal pool, larger than the one located at the basilica in Ephesus. It is thought that an early community of Christians may have lived or were baptized here in seclusion in order to escape the nearby Romans." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Virgin_Mary)

Mary's House

Lighting candles

Priest talking to us after Mass

According to the local tradition, the mother of Christ arrived at Ephesus together with St. John and spent here the last years of her life. Although there is no decisive historical evidence to support this belief, there are some premises supporting it. The most significant one is the documented presence of St. John in Ephesus, where he started writing his gospel. He was also buried in this city, and the basilica was erected in his name. As Christ entrusted him to take care of his mother, before dying on the cross, as it is explained in the Gospel of John. John the Evangelist stated that Jesus, during the crucifixion, declared the adoption of him as the son of Mary: "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."

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Your tour continues to the ancient city of Ephesus. A slow, downhill walk into the ruins gives you time appreciate the historic significance of the area, once the trade center of the ancient world and the site of a succession of great civilizations. Your knowledgeable guide will take you back in time and highlight such sights as the beautifully preserved Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Trajan Fountain, the Odeon Theater, once used for both political and entertainment purposes, and the beautiful Celsus Library with its imposing façade and two-story Corinthian-style columns. The dramatic Great Theater is one of the few structures still used today. It seats twenty-five thousand was an arena for gladiator games.

Strolling through the streets, it is easy to see that Ephesus is one of the best-preserved classical cities in the world and is considered one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey. Although in ruins, the Basilica of St. John is still a majestic sight to behold. Large columns, frescos and mosaics still stand, paying homage to the monumental basilica built during Emperor Justinian's reign - created in the shape of a cross and covered with six individual domes.

St. John is thought to be buried under the central dome. Constructed out of stone and brick - a rare find in architecture of this time - the monumental basilica has marble columns in the courtyard that are carved with the monograms of Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora.A scenic drive back to port affords time to reflect with fellow travelers on the wonders you have seen.

The Library

The Amphitheater where some of the Apostles spoke

The public toilets

Church of St. Mary

In the 3rd century CE, the times of economic crisis began in Ephesus. During this period, the local Christian community built its first church. However, its builders used an older structure clearly related to the pagan cults of the city's past. The spacious area to the north had been occupied by the Olympieion, erected around 130 CE for the Imperial Cult of Emperor Hadrian as Zeus Olympios. The porticoes surrounded the temple sanctuary, and the Church of Mary was inserted into the southern one. This fact explains the unusual dimensions of the building – it was 145 meters long but only 30 meters wide. An atrium on the square plan and a narthex paved with mosaics led into the church. In later times, two more churches were built inside the ancient building, arranged one behind the other.

One of the most significant events in the history of Ephesus – the third ecumenical council also known as the Council of Ephesus – was convened in 431 by Emperor Theodosius the Younger in the great church of St. Mary. The delegates arrived from as far as Rome, Alexandria or Antioch, and their number reached 250. The purpose of this council was to settle the dispute, caused by Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, on the understanding of the person of Jesus. Among other issues discussed, there was a dispute concerning the title of Mary as the Mother of God or the Mother of Christ. The council opted for the first version, establishing an extraordinary theological relationship between Mary and Christ. Thus, Mary has always been strongly linked to Ephesus through the decision of the council.

Even found a little friend

Once in Kusadasi, you'll have time to explore the colorful markets and bazaars, where handmade goods and traditional foods are sold, or view a demonstration of the intricate art of carpet-weaving. Ample time to explore on your own is provided and you may walk back to the ship at your leisure.

They dropped us off at Turkish Rug place. They welcome you with refreshments.

Raki (Turkish Ouzo) and local beer

The rolled out many carpets for us while explaining everything we ever wanted to know about rugs

We then went down to where they had two artisans making silk thread and then weaving rugs.

They put the silk into hot water

Then with this brush they

Toni can make friends with people even when they don't speak English. She looked at Toni and patted the seat next to her. Next thing, she is teaching her how to knot the colored silk onto the main strings