Our Lady's house to open in Norfolk
A replica of Our Lady's house in Turkey, is to be opened in Norfolk next Sunday (1 April). Bishop Peter Smith of East Anglia will bless the house, and representatives of the Turkish government are expected to attend. Measuring just twelve feet by fifteen feet, the building at Downham Market is an exact copy of the original in Ephesus - said to be the house where Our Lady spent her last days with St John, before she was assumed into heaven. The building contains one stone from the house in Ephesus. Local resident Eric St John-Foti is behind the project. He said: "My wife and I visited the house at Ephesus a number of times and were impressed by the feeling of tranquillity there." Mr St John-Foti said he hoped the house becomes an inter-faith meeting place. He said: "The house in Ephesus attracts Moslem and Christian visitors alike. We want this new shrine to be dedicated to peace."