Saturday, January 22, 2011

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 (Late Post)

We cruise to the Turkish port of Ephesus (Kusadasi), the greatest city in Asia Minor during the Roman Empire. We see recorded in Acts about Paul's visit in Ephesus-- (Acts 18:19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.)

We enter the city thru the Magnesia Gate, and find innumerable monuments: the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsius and the Thermal Baths of Scolastika.

Inside the city we stopped for a group picture and a brief message from Dr. Stanley in the Grand Theatre. This magnificent ancient theater which will seat 25,000 people has such perfect acoustics in its natural bowl shape that Dr. Stanley did not have to use a microphone.







On the way back to the motor coach we strolled along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Just outside Ephesus, we see the Basilica of St. John, erected over his grave by the Emperor Justinian. Downhill lies the famous Temple of Diana now in ruins one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Paul was in Ephesus in 53 AD. He stayed there for two years, teaching in the school of Tyrannous. While there, God allowed Paul to do many miracles including the casting out of evil spirits.
John the apostle, also went to Ephesus to live and teach after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. John is buried at the Church of St. John shown at the right. It is throught (but not proven) that Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her last days with John in Ephesus and is buried there.

After touring, there was time to shop in the local craft shops known for their carpets, jewelry and leather goods. We visited a Turkish carpet dealer in Ephesus. Turkish carpets are hand made from wool and are the finest carpets in the world and are very expensive. Each thread is tied separately, one thread hand knotted at a time. The detail in the design is remarkable as you can see from the depiction of the Last Supper. It may take a worker 2 to 4 years to complete one carpet.

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