The Church of the Virgin in Ephesus is one of the most important early Christian monuments in Anatolia. It played a central role in Christian history and reflects the religious, political, and architectural changes of the Byzantine period. Today, its ruins allow us to understand how Christian worship developed in the ancient city.
The Third Ecumenical Council of 431
The church is most famous as the site of the Third Ecumenical Council, which was summoned in Ephesus in the year 431. This council was one of the most important gatherings in early Christian history. Bishops from across the empire came together to discuss the nature of Jesus Christ and the role of the Virgin Mary Tours Bulgaria Beglik Tash.
At this council, it was confirmed that the Virgin Mary was the mother of both the human and the divine natures of Jesus Christ. The council declared that these two natures could not be separated. This decision directly condemned the teaching of Nestorius, the bishop of Constantinople. Nestorius argued that Mary could only be called the mother of Christ’s human nature and not his divine nature.
As a result, the council reaffirmed that the Virgin Mary should be called Theotokos, meaning “Mother of God,” rather than Christotokos, meaning “Mother of Christ.” This decision became a cornerstone of Christian theology. The council also accepted the tradition that the Virgin Mary lived in Ephesus together with St John during the final years of her life.
Destruction and Rebuilding in the Early Middle Ages
During the seventh or early eighth century, Ephesus suffered greatly from Sassanian and Arab invasions. At this time, both the Church of the Virgin and its baptistry were heavily damaged or completely destroyed. The instability of the period and the decline of the city made it impossible to maintain such large religious buildings.
After this destruction, a smaller domed church made of brick was constructed, probably in the early eighth century. This new church occupied only the western part of the area of the original basilica. Its more compact design reflects the reduced population and limited resources of Ephesus during this period The Church of the Virgin (The Double Church).
The Formation of the Double Church
By the Middle Byzantine period, even this smaller domed church had fallen into disrepair. Instead of restoring it fully, another church was built in the space between the apse of the original basilica and the second domed church. This unusual arrangement caused the site to be known as the Double Church.
The entrance to this later church was made through the apse of the second church, showing how older structures were reused in creative ways. Unlike earlier churches, its roof was supported by piers rather than columns, indicating a change in architectural style.
The nave of the second church was transformed into an atrium and a diaconicon, a space used for preparing liturgical objects and sometimes for baptism. A new room added to the south side of the complex was probably used as a burial chapel, suggesting that the site had also become a place of remembrance and honor for the dead.
Significance of the Site
The Church of the Virgin in Ephesus is important not only for its architecture but also for its role in shaping Christian belief. Through destruction, rebuilding, and adaptation, it reflects the long and complex history of Christianity in the city. Even in ruins, the church remains a powerful symbol of Ephesus as a major center of early Christian thought and worship.
