Church of Mary (Council Church), Ephesus
The great basilica where the Council of 431 met, built inside a Roman hall
Found 1927 — Austrian Archaeological Institute under Josef Keil (1927–1931); studied by Franz Miltner; re-examined by Stefan Karwiese (1984–1993)
Where Ephesus (Efes), near Selçuk (Turkey)
Dates from Roman hall 2nd century CE; church early 5th century, rebuilt c. 500 CE · Late Roman–Byzantine · Later history of the assembly of Ephesus (Revelation 2; Acts 20)
Now at In situ, Ephesus archaeological site
How Church of Mary (Council Church), Ephesus was found
Keil's team cleared a long ruin north of the harbour gymnasium and found a three-aisled church with baptistery and bishop's palace set into a Roman commercial basilica (the 'Hall of the Muses') 260 m long.
What it is
A basilica with nave and two aisles, an atrium, a round baptistery with a deep marble font, and later a domed cross-in-square church built inside the ruins. Its columns and floors reuse Roman material. It is the earliest church known to be named for Mary.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts 20 records Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders and Revelation 2 the letter to the assembly that had 'left its first love'. The Church of Mary shows what that assembly became: by 431 it hosted the Third Ecumenical Council, which declared Mary Theotokos ('God-bearer'). The building thus marks both the survival of the Ephesian church and the beginning of a devotion the apostles never taught — a useful reminder to distinguish the assembly of Acts from later Christendom.
The Hebrew word: meer-YAHM
מִרְיָם
מִרְיָם is pronounced meer-YAHM and means Miriam — the Hebrew name of Yeshua's mother, Greek Maria (Strong's H4813).
People this discovery connects to
- Miriam (Mary) — מִרְיָם (meer-YAHM) — Miriam; Greek Maria
Places
- Ephesus — אֶפֶסוֹס (EH-feh-sos) — Greek Ephesos
Events
Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders · Council of Ephesus, 431 CE
Church of Mary (Council Church), Ephesus in Scripture
Acts 18:19 First mention of Ephesus in Scripture.
Acts 20:28-30 Paul warns the Ephesian elders of wolves and distorted teaching; the Council church shows the later doctrinal battles fought in this city.
Revelation 2:4-5 The assembly that left its first love — the church building marks its later history.
Questions people ask
What is Church of Mary (Council Church), Ephesus?
A basilica with nave and two aisles, an atrium, a round baptistery with a deep marble font, and later a domed cross-in-square church built inside the ruins. Its columns and floors reuse Roman material. It is the earliest church known to be named for Mary.
When was Church of Mary (Council Church), Ephesus discovered?
It was found in 1927 by Austrian Archaeological Institute under Josef Keil (1927–1931); studied by Franz Miltner; re-examined by Stefan Karwiese (1984–1993), at Ephesus (Efes), near Selçuk.
Where is Church of Mary (Council Church), Ephesus today?
In situ, Ephesus archaeological site.
Which Bible verses does Church of Mary (Council Church), Ephesus relate to?
Acts 18:19, Acts 20:28-30, Revelation 2:4-5.
Related discoveries
- בַּיִתTerrace Houses (Hanghäuser) of EphesusWealthy homes of the city where Paul taught for two years
- תֵּאַטְרוֹןGreat Theater of EphesusThe 24,000-seat theater where the silversmiths' riot shouted 'Great is Artemis'
- קְהִלָּהCuretes Street and the Library of Celsus, EphesusThe marble city Paul walked — with a landmark built a generation after him
- אַרְטֶמִיסTemple of Artemis at EphesusOne of the Seven Wonders, whose silver shrines sparked the riot against Paul
- קָדֵשׁKadesh-Barnea (Tell el-Qudeirat)The oasis where Israel camped for a generation; fortresses found, but from later kings
- שָׁאוּלGrotto of St Paul and the Thecla Fresco, EphesusA hillside cave with the oldest painted image of Paul found in Asia
Sources
- Church of Mary (Wikipedia)
- Church of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus (Turkish Archaeological News)
- Ephesus Foundation USA: Church of St Mary project
Open Church of Mary (Council Church), Ephesus in Hebrew Explorer →