Greek:Ἁγία Θέκλα | |
 Cave church of Aya Tekla inSilifke, Turkey | |
  Shown within Turkey | |
| Alternative name | Meryemlik |
|---|---|
| Location | Mersin Province,Turkey |
| Coordinates | 36°21′46″N33°55′51″E / 36.36278°N 33.93083°E /36.36278; 33.93083 |
| Type | Church |
Aya Tekla Church (Greek:Ἁγία Θέκλα,Hagia Thékla;Turkish:Aya Tekla Kilisesi), also known asAya Thecla orAya Thekla, is a ruined historicchurch of theByzantine period in Turkey. It was a popular pilgrimage site, and still attracts visitors today.
Aya Tekla Church is located 4 km (2.5 mi) south ofSilifke (ancient Seleucia in Isauria or Seleucia on the Calycadnus) and 85 km (53 mi) from the provincial capital,Mersin. It is situated 1 km (0.62 mi) north of the state highwayD.400, which runs parallel to the coast of theMediterranean Sea.[1]
Thecla (Ancient Greek:Θέκλα,Thékla) was asaint of theearly Christian Church, and a reported follower ofPaul the Apostle. She enjoyed great popularity in theByzantine period. According to the main work about her,Acts of Paul and Thecla, she was originally from Ikonion, modernKonya, and after the episodes described in the book, she lived around Silifke and died there.[2]
The beginnings of the site are unclear. A site of Thecla's cult near Silifke was visited byGregory of Nazianzus in 374.Egeria, a woman widely regarded to be the author of a detailed account of a pilgrimage to theHoly Land, visited the site in 384. She mentioned numerousmonastic cells for men and women, and a central church with an enclosing wall.[3] The shrine of Thecla was relocated to a hill, now calledMeryemlik, meaning "ofVirgin Mary", into a cave, which was supposedly Thecla's home in her later years. The grave in the cave supposedly belongs to her.[2]
Up to 312, Thecla's cave was a secret pilgrimage site.[clarification needed] At some date, a church was built into the cave. Aya Thekla, the more prominent church, was built on the hilltop in 460–470 by the Byzantine emperorZeno the Isaurian (reigned 474–475).[4] The church and other related buildings, such as a bath, are now in ruins, the only standing element being a part of theapse.[2] The cave andcistern to the north of the cave are also partially standing.
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