Europe 2012 Day 2, July 14, (part 1) - Meryem Ana

Because we had been out so late the night before, I asked to delay my start today.  Original start time was 9 a.m.- which Ercan had asked, “is this too early?”  Actually it was a perfect time for me, since I wanted to get an early start to avoid the heat of the day.  But we pushed it out to 10:30 so I could get a little more sleep.  We left on the 70 km journey to Selçuk. Along the way, the driver was trying to teach me Turkish.  He would point to something and say, “Turkish – şeftali, English....”  And then I had to guess what he was pointing to and give him the English word.  In this case it was peaches.  The problem with Turkish is the words are so unfamiliar to me that without writing them down, I forgot them almost immediately.  But he seemed to enjoy the game and I played along.  

We arrived in the town of Selçuk.  The driver looked at me and said, “Selçuk” and waved his hand around.  Then he pointed to the mountain and said, “Maryemana”.   Then he looked at me.  I wasn’t sure what he was telling me so he repeated himself.  I nodded.  I didn’t know what the first part was but I understood that my first stop, the thought to be last home of Mary was on the mountain.   As we drove a little longer, I saw the sign for Selçuk and realized he was telling me the name of the town we were currently in.   

It is very interesting to travel in a foreign land where you don’t know the language.  I notice that people constantly apologize for no knowing English or tell me, “forgive me, my English is bad.”  I always appreciate all their effort.  Their kindness is never lost on me.  I’ve learned to go with the flow, use body language and occasionally expect things not to go quite as I thought they would.  I relish the surprises.

As we drove the mountainside up there was a large statue of Mary about ½ way up:

At the top, we entered the area.  There were many people there.  Along the walk way, there was a sign, in many different languages.  It had historic notes indicating why they thought it was the last home of Mary.  The first was from scriptures where Jesus entrusted Mary to St. John’s care and then John heading to Asia minor.  St. John’s tomb was found in Ephesus, so it was his last known home.  The basilica to Mary was in Ephesus, too.  Also, descendants of Christian Ephesians made pilgrimage to the area.  

The original home had long been destroyed.  Upon the foundation, which had evidence of being built and restored in the 1^st and 4^th centuries, a chapel was built.  Part of the building dates back to the 7^th century and it was restored again in 1951.  

I went into the chapel.  It was simple with just an alter with a statue of Mary upon it.  No pictures were allowed.  I spent some time in contemplation here.  I was moved by the age and faithfulness of those who kept the building.  My faith is so strange.  I believe in following Christ because every essence of my being believes his teachings are right.  It is simple, we should love one another and care for each other. We are not here to judge or persecute.  So many Christians (and non-Christians) miss this point – the only point of my faith.  This is what I thought about as I kneeled in the chapel.

Outside the chapel was a sign showing references to Mary from the Koran.  It was interesting to read (I didn’t photograph it) because they were just passages where they referenced her and her protecting her virginity.  Next there was an area for lighting candles.   And, then another alter to Mary:

Down the stairs the was a wall.  I am not sure the significance but people were writing on paper, scrolling it up and adding it to the wall.  There were no signs, so my only guess is these were prayers offered to Mary.  Shown is my driver tying his to the wall:

It was a beautiful area.