Church of Mary
The Church of Mary, which is known as the Church of the Councils also is an ancient Christian cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Theotokos). It is located in the south stoa of the Temple of Hadrian Olympios next to the Ephesus harbor. During late Antiquity, the church served as a cathedral and was the seat of the Bishop of Ephesus .
The church dates back to the early 5th century, which coincides with the Third Ecumenical Council also known as the Council of Ephesus held in 431. Actually it may have been built for the council, during which the title of Theotokos for the Mother of Christ was decided. According to archaeological evidences, the church was built on the ruins of an earlier Roman basilica-like building abandoned around the 3rd century. Around 500, the church was expanded into a monumental cathedral. Some parts of its apse and pillars can be seen today.
