Basilica of St. John- The Hill of the Beloved Disciple!

My Visit to the Basilica of St. John My visit to the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk, Turkey, was a journey into both spiritual depth and historical grandeur. Perched on the slopes of Ayasuluk Hill, the basilica stands as a powerful tribute to one of Christianity’s most revered figures—John the Apostle, the disciple whom Jesus loved. As I approached the ruins, the sense of history was overwhelming. Built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian I, the basilica once stood as a magnificent domed structure, rivaling even the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Though time has weathered its walls, what remains speaks volumes. The layout of the church forms the shape of a Latin cross, and I could still make out the foundation lines, columns, and scattered marble blocks that once formed intricate archways and majestic halls. One of the most profound moments of my visit was standing before the baptismal tank. Sunken into the stone floor near the entrance, the tank is cross-shaped—symbolic, ancient, and remarkably well preserved. It’s easy to imagine early Christians being immersed here, welcomed into a new life of faith under the same skies I stood beneath. The spiritual significance was palpable, and I found myself quietly reflecting on the continuity of belief that had endured for centuries. The most sacred part of the basilica is undoubtedly the tomb of St. John, believed to rest beneath the main altar. Though the tomb itself is simple—a rectangular stone structure—it holds immense reverence. Pilgrims once flocked here, believing that dust from the tomb had healing powers. Standing above it, I felt a quiet awe, contemplating the life of a man who had walked with Christ and whose Gospel still echoes around the world. Beyond the church’s ruins, the view from the hill is nothing short of spectacular. The Aegean landscape stretches out in every direction—olive groves, distant hills, and the nearby town of Selçuk below. In the distance, the silhouette of the Temple of Artemis and the Citadel add to the timelessness of the setting. The basilica’s elevation offers not just a view of the land, but a sense of how this place once stood at the crossroads of history, religion, and empire. Though the structure is no longer whole, the Basilica of St. John remains deeply alive in spirit. My visit was more than just a historical tour—it was a moment of connection to something much larger, rooted in faith, history, and the enduring presence of sacred places.#selcuk #basilicaofstjohn #ephesus