The Wishing Project
Wishing Traditions Around the World
Wishing Wall at the Virgin Mary’s House
This is where it is strongly believed that Mary was taken by St. John to protect her after the crucifixion of Jesus. It is above Ephesus. The explanation is that at the time some 2000 years ago, some aspects of Pagan and budding Christian religions saw her as a threat as much or more than Jesus because they regarded her as a deity herself. Thus the Virgin Mary had to be hidden or be assassinated. She lived out her final years and died here. The Catholic Church has recognized this officially. In this country they refer to her differently than we do in the West. She is The Mother of Jesus a prophet equal to but not greater than Mohammed.Even thought the Turkish population is 97% Muslim, Mary is a big part of their religion along with the apostles who preached in this area. The shrine is a rock building with 3 rooms, you walk through, no pictures allowed and it appears that there are seats for the professional prayers of several Muslim women and a nun. They keep a constant prayer vigil. Outside and down some rock steps there is a spring flowing out of the wall. People stop to wash their arms and face, wet a Kleenex and then add their Kleenex with a wish to the millions of others tucked into the wall.
