an ancient Greek city on the western shore of Asia Minor in what is now Turkey; site of the Temple of Artemis; was a major trading center and played an important role in early Christianity
the third ecumenical council in 431 which declared Mary as mother of God and condemned Pelagius
Traditions continually renewed themselves: just as crowds of worshippers once assembled in Ephesus, so today they wait in front of St Peter's in Rome to receive the blessing of the pope.