Women of Ephesus

House of Mary: Ephesus, today Kusadasi Turkey. This is the small rock formed dwelling that is believed to be the dwelling place of Mary, mother of Jesus until her return to Jerusalem prior to her death. From the cross, Jesus gives Mary to John and tradition and archeology places them in Ephesus for many years after the crucifixion and resurrection. Popes John Paul II and Benedict along with pilgrims from around the world visit this holy site to light candles, and offer prayers on the walls surrounding the home.

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Celsius Library of Ephesus, 3rd largest in the ancient world built in the 2nd century C.E., here SOPHIA holds up the Western wing of the library. Ephesus became an important center for early followers of Jesus. It is to this prominent harbor city Paul sends Prisca and Aquilla ahead of him to begin to make connections with Jews and forge a community of believers. Paul will preach from Ephesus so that people can travel from surrounding areas to hear him and then take the gospel message back. We believe this is how the 7 churches of Revelation are begun.
Extant material suggests that Prisca and Aquilla return to Ephesus after Rome and that a certain ΠΡΙΣΚΑΣ serves as Bishop of the small town of ΚΟΛΟΠΗΟΝΟΣ on the outskirts of the great city.

In the Ephesian amphitheater, Sarah McLaughlin sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and South Korean singers followed after her in their own language.

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On this CBH Viewpoint trip we focused our study on women in the New Testament so that balanced our study time in ancient Ephesus with plenty of shopping with local merchants; hand sewn Turkish rugs and jewelry. Special thanks to Andrew Lyon and Lyon Travel for helping us to customize our experience so we could celebrate both the study of early church holy women and the gift of being women!

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