The apostle Paul first visited Ephesus on his return from missionary journey where he entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews (Acts 18:19-21). On his second journey, Paul came to Ephesus and taught the twelve disciples who knew only the baptism of John (Acts 19:1-7) and went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8) According to the tradition, John wrote his Gospel in Ephesus upon the request of other disciples and died in the church named after him on Ayasuluk Hill. During this tour, you will visit the Basilica of St. John and see his burial place. You will then continue your tour and visit the House of Mother Mary. Catholic pilgrims visit this place based on their belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this house by Saint John and lived there her final days, until her assumption (according to Catholic doctrine). The House of Virgin Mary was visited by several popes including Pope Paul VI in the 60s, Pope John-Paul II in the 80s and in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI. It is a church today, and it is possible to join mass on Sundays.