While the tombs of Saint Peter & Paul are surrounded by architectural marvels and continuous daily tributes, the tomb of St. John the Beloved disciple, is left in a shadow of what looks like a ruin ...  

It is believed that the evangelist had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus (modern day Turkey) and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill.  3 centuries after the death of the saint, a small church was erected on the grave, and then it was converted in to a great Basilica at the time of the Emperor Justinian (527-565 AD).Originally the Basilica had been in a cruciform shape with six massive domes.  The tomb of the Apostle that today is exposed to the natural elements initially was located under the main central dome of the church.

The story goes that “When John was over 100 years old; he took seven of his disciples, went outside the town of Ephesus and ordered them to dig a grave in the form of a cross. After that, the elder was deceased and buried....”

Remarkably enough, from this spot that marks the grave of this holy Apostle, each year, and for about a thousand year, on the 8th of May, there came forth a fine ash-dust, which believers called “manna” and from which the sick when using it, were healed of various diseases. Still nowadays, in commemoration of this miracle of the 8th of May, many churches celebrate the feast day of St. John!!   

Unfortunately, with harsh conditions of time and persecution, we lost the Basilica but we also lost three relics which are believed they were still in the church in question during Ottoman times: 

- a piece of the True Cross worn by the Apostle John around his neck,

- a garment of the Apostle made by Holy Mary 

- and most significantly for biblical scholarship today was an original manuscript of the  Book of Revelation which was authored by the beloved apostle. 

Anyhow…today, and while we are still facing similar winds of persecution, the true miracle from the apostle of love, that we’ll never lose, resides in his Gospel which is a deep mystical reflection on the Word Made Flesh, Jesus Christ…

Today, also, we pray that we, Christians, turn into a living gospel that might be the only bible our surrounding will ever read.