A dedicatory cross can still be seen carved on the steps of one of the columns flanking the entrance to the southern aisle of the Church of St John the Theologian in Selçuk. This cross dates to the Byzantine period and is an important reminder of the church’s sacred function. Such crosses were often carved by worshippers or donors as acts of devotion, thanksgiving, or prayer. They also marked the building clearly as a Christian monument at a time when religious identity was expressed strongly through architecture and decoration Later History of the Church of St John.
The Early Church and Its Symbolic Plan
The earliest major church built over the tomb of St John followed a cruciform, or cross-shaped, plan. This design closely imitated the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, which had been constructed by Constantine the Great. The choice of this architectural model was not accidental. The Church of the Holy Apostles was one of the most important churches of the capital and served as a burial place for emperors and saints. By copying its plan, the builders of the Ephesian church emphasized the importance of St John among the apostles.
It is also believed that the cross-shaped plan was inspired by a strong local tradition. According to this tradition, St John dug his own grave in the form of a cross and lay down in it when he felt that his death was near. This story gave deep symbolic meaning to the church’s layout, linking the building directly to the life, death, and faith of the apostle.
Justinian’s Great Basilica
By the sixth century, the earlier church had fallen into serious disrepair. In response, Emperor Justinian the Great ordered the construction of a new and much larger church over the site. This project became the largest building enterprise undertaken in Anatolia outside Constantinople itself, showing both the religious and political importance of Ephesus during this period.
The new church generally followed the plan of the earlier building but was far more elaborate. It was approached through a large courtyard surrounded by a colonnaded portico. Part of this courtyard stood on a natural terrace, while other sections were supported by vaults built over the sloping hillside. This clever engineering allowed the complex to dominate the landscape and remain stable despite the uneven ground Rila Lakes Bulgaria Tours.
Interior Layout and Domes
From the courtyard, worshippers entered the church through a long and narrow narthex. This entrance hall was topped by five small domes, creating a gradual and impressive transition from the outside world into the sacred interior. Beyond the narthex lay the main body of the church, designed in a style similar to important churches in the capital.
The nave and aisles were spacious and richly decorated. Marble revetments, columns, and carved capitals reflected the artistic taste of the early Byzantine period. At the heart of the church lay the tomb of St John, which remained the spiritual focus of the entire structure.
The Legacy of St John the Theologian
The Church of St John the Theologian became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Asia Minor. Pilgrims came not only to honor the apostle’s tomb but also to reflect on his theological legacy. An icon of St John from the Monastery of St Barnabas in North Cyprus, dating to the nineteenth century, reflects this enduring devotion. The Greek inscription on the icon quotes the opening words of the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
