Following Christ`s crucifixion, the Apostle John - the only disciple not to suffer martyrdom - journeyed to Ephesus, one of the greatest cities of Roman Asia. According to tradition, he brought with him the Virgin Mary, entrusted to his care by Jesus (John 19:26-27). Here in Ephesus, the Apostle John wrote the Gospel of John, the most mystical of the four canonical Gospels.
John composed the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) on the island of Patmos but completed and disseminated it in Ephesus. He died around 100 AD in extreme old age, having outlived all other apostles. His tomb in Ephesus became a place of veneration, and later a magnificent basilica was erected over it, comparable in significance to Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.
History of the Basilica of St. John Construction
Early Tomb (4th century): The first small chapel over John`s grave was built during Emperor Constantine the Great`s reign.
Justinian`s Great Basilica (6th century): Between 535-565 AD, Emperor Justinian I constructed a monumental cruciform basilica with a dome, dedicating it to John as "the Theologian." This became the second largest church in Byzantium after Hagia Sophia. A pilgrimage site mentioned in numerous medieval chronicles
Architecture: The basilica blends Roman and early Byzantine architectural elements:
• Dimensions: 110 × 40 meters, with a dome height of 20 meters
• Layout: Cruciform with a central nave, two side aisles, and an atrium (inner courtyard)
• Materials: Marble, brick, and decorative stones repurposed from ancient Ephesian temples
Unique Features of the Basilica of St. John:
• Dome over the tomb: An unusual 6th-century feature, as domes typically crowned only the altar area
• Mosaics and frescoes: Fragments survive with golden ornaments and depictions of apostles
• Column capitals: Ionic and Corinthian orders, with columns of varying styles taken from Ephesian Greek temples
Decline and Destruction of the Basilica of St. John:
• 7th-8th centuries: Arab raids and earthquakes damaged the structure
• 14th century: After Seljuk Turkish conquest, the basilica was converted to a mosque, then abandoned
• 1402: Complete destruction by Tamerlane`s forces
Current Remains of the Basilica of St. John:
• The Apostle`s tomb: A symbolic marble sarcophagus (the original tomb beneath is empty - tradition holds John ascended)
• Foundations and columns: The cross-shaped plan remains clearly visible, with fragments of mosaic floors
• Atrium and baptistery: Circular baptismal font dating to 5th-6th centuries
In Revelation, John addresses the seven churches of Asia, including Ephesus - the city where he spent his final years. The Basilica of St. John serves as a bridge between antiquity and Christianity, embodying Byzantine grandeur while commemorating Christ`s "beloved disciple." Even in ruins, it evokes the sacred history of early Christianity`s development.
