Hi, everyone..
One of schedule in our trip last month is visit the house of Virgin Mary in Selcuk, Izmir. The house of Virgin mary is a place of a worship. A propiate dress is requested. That was catholic monastery located in Mount Koressos Ephesus Area. It was around 7 km from Selcuk city center.
We were arrived at 10.00 Am in local time, it was sunny day but weather is cold. I tightened my coat and scarf so I could feel warm. Even though the sun is shining brightly, in the Selcuk, Izmir areas has lower temperatures than Istanbul in winter.
That day we has full schedule cause in Izmir has how many places that we have to visited. Moreover, several places in Turkey was supported by the government so, visited that placed was a must. I'm pretty excited to visited the places that has a history.
Meryemana, House The Virgin Mary
House of Virgin Mary in Turkish was Meryemana. It was located at Bulbul (Nightingale) mount, where is in Turkish it was Bulbuldagi. That house was believed as the last house of Yesus' mother, Mary.
Habib, our tour guide is said that House of Virgin Mary had been found in the 19th century. A Roman Catholic nun and visionary, Beate Anne Catherine Emmerich is said to have witnessed events at that time. In this attack, the Virgin Mary's House is also said to be now heavily visited for pilgrims.
According to Catholic and Orthodox beliefs, in the house it is believed that Mary, was placed in the stone house by John and lived there until her Ascension.
The house is surrounded by shady trees and has a very calm atmosphere. In the entry way to the House of Virgin Mary, there's a pool. It is said that the pool was used for baptisms. There's a mini statue of Mary in the way through the house.
The atmosphere inside the house is more like a church than a house. There is also an altar table right in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary for visitors who want to say a prayer. There are also several paintings that show the history of that time.
It was a house so small that we couldn't walk hand in hand. Maybe because it's a holy place that looks more like a church and shouldn't stay inside for long.
When you go out, you can see a place ( I'm not sure that name cause I didn't familiar with all stuffs), there's a place to turn the candle. I think it's like, when you have a wish, you have to turn on the candle and let it be until the candle end.
when you visited there, don't skipped that area. The candles are beautiful view.
In that place, always be church service. I lost Habib at that places so I forgot, is that place is still active for church service or not. Let assumed that it still active for local peoples nearby or for a special event. It looks that it still active place to used.
When we were descending the area of the house of the Virgin Mary, we will be met by a wall where on the wall there is water flow which is believed to be holy water. It's fine if you want to get a bottle of water to take home with you. It's free of course.
When I was there I actually wanted to asked, why the house of Virgin Mary was in Turkey, where the Turkish civilization is closer to the Greek civilization and has Islamic civilization.
Turkey is an Islamic country, almost 99% of the population is Muslim. With the house of the Virgin Mary being cared for, I think how Turkey has a fairly high sense of tolerance between religious communities.
All photos taken by Samsung Galaxy A10
Vivie Hardika
I have so many imagination in my head. Something that I can't achieve as human and as a girl. So writing very challenging. Since in Junior High School, I written whatever I want to write. Without skill, I just write what I want to read. Now I have 12th published novels and all of that are romance.
Yeah, I proudly say that I am an passionate author!