The Basilica of St. John was a
great church in Ephesus constructed by Emperor
Justinian in the 6th century. It stands over the
believed burial site of St. John, who is
identified as the apostle, evangelist and prophet.
The basilica is on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill
near the center of Selçuk, just below the
fortress and about 3.5 km from
Ephesus.
There was a St. John identified wih Ephesus
since as early as the 1st century, who seems to
have originally been the author of Revelation
who was exiled on Patmos. By the second century
this John was equated with John the Evangelist,
author of the Gospel of John. Legend had it that
John wrote his gospel in Ephesus at the request
of other disciples, then died in the church
named for him on Ayasoluk Hill. Later legends
developed that he was not really dead, but
sleeping, and dust could even be seen moving
above his grave as he breathed.
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