On September 22, 2024, the day of commemoration of the Righteous Theotokos Joachim and Anna and the remembrance of the III Ecumenical Council (431), Priest George Sergeev, who is responsible for the organization of feeding the faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate in the territory of the Republic of Turkey, celebrated the Liturgy in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos in Ephesus, where the Council was held.
The service was attended by pilgrims who came from Istanbul, Cambridge (UK), Izmir, as well as from the city of Kusadasi, near which there are archaeological excavations of the famous ancient city of Ephesus. Most of the pilgrims received Holy Communion.
After the Liturgy, Father George addressed the faithful with a word in which he explained the dogmas of the III Ecumenical Council. After the Liturgy, Father George addressed the faithful with a word in which he explained the dogmas of the III Ecumenical Council.
*** The ruins of the very first church, created in honor of the Virgin Mary, have been preserved in Ephesus. Roman basilica built in the 2nd century. In the V century it was rebuilt and here in 431 was held the III Ecumenical Council, which confirmed the dogma of the veneration of the Virgin Mary as the Blessed Mother of God. The conversation of St. Cyril of Alexandria, delivered in the summer of 431, immediately after the deposition of Nestorius, was heard in this very temple. This is evidenced by the title of the conversation — «Pronounced in Ephesus to Nestorius, when the seven came to St. Mary». The church was rebuilt many times. In the 7th century another church was added to it and it became known as the Double Church. The church was rebuilt many times.
EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
