The Fate of the Basilica of the Tomb of St. John the Theologian in Ephesus

 

Model based on archeological and historical research of the Basilica of the Tomb of St. John the Theologian near Ephesus

 

According to Byzantine chronicles, the Tomb Basilica of St. John the Theologian, located in the fortified village which was accordingly named Agios Theologos (The Holy Theologian) was one of the most-visited shrines in Byzantium, frequented by pilgrims from both East and West. As the renowned Byzantine historian Procopius of Cesarea (6^th c ) writes, “The sanctuary of St. John the Theologian was one of the most revered churches, and enjoyed great honor throughout the Roman Empire.”

The Grave of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian and the Hermitage of the Theologian - Ephesus, Turkey

The ruins of the Sepulchre Basilica of St John the Theologian. Ephesus, Turkey 

Epitaph on the Grave of St John the Theologian:

 “This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” – Ps 131:14

“The entire later destiny of St John the Theologian was completely different from the destiny of the other Apostles of Christ. While all the others ended their earthly life in martyrdom for Christ, St John the Theologian outlived them all to deep old age. He was the one apostle who died a natural, but very mysterious death. Did he just die? There is an ancient tradition which says that his body was not found in his grave just a few days after his death, as if he is alive and that will live until the second coming of Christ, and that he will appear before all and unmask the Antichrist. This belief is in part immortalized in our church hymnody.”

–  Archbishop Averky of Jordanville. “The Apostle of Love.” Modernity in the Light of God’s Word. Holy Trinity Monastery Press, Jordanville, NY, 1975, vol. III, p. 148 (in Russian)

 

The Wonder-working Tomb

St John the Theologian’s life, nearly half of which he spent in Ephesus (43 years in total including the time before and after his exile on Patmos), ended mysteriously, as his hagiography recounts.  It is said that St John went out of Ephesus, taking seven of his disciples with him to a nearby hill, which according to tradition was his favorite place. Here he often went by himself to pray, and it was on the top of this hill that he wrote his Gospel. There he ordered his disciples to dig him a cross-shaped grave and to bury him alive.