An ancient Christian tradition says that, fleeing persecution in Jerusalem, St. John the Evangelist took the Virgin Mary with him to Ephesus, in the region of Izmir, in Turkey, where both would remain: John until the day of his death, and Mary until her Assumption into Heaven. In fact, both Catholic and Orthodox tradition states that the small chapel that was built in the 6th century stands on what is assumed to have been the small house in which Mary lived her last years of earthly life. Moreover, it is the same place from which she was assumed into Heaven.
Near Jamaica, Vermont, there is an exact replica, as realistic and accurate as possible, of the Holy House of Ephesus: a house of prayer and retreat called Our Lady of Ephesus, in a clear reference to the Turkish original shrine.
The place houses a cenacle for prayer, especially dedicated to Marian devotions (the Holy Rosary in capite, naturally), in which different liturgical celebrations are held throughout the year, even in the cold and snowy northeastern winter. Given the explicitly Marian character of the place, special celebrations occur on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. Every so often, pilgrimages are organized from the site, for small groups to visit the original home in Turkey.
Visitors to the House of Prayer of Our Lady of Ephesus can stay in guest quarters on the premises by arrangement, or in any of the small hotels nearby.
And today we celebrate...