THE FRINGE

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Pilgrimage site

Certain misguided academics contend the next millennium won’t happen until the year 2001. That’s like denying the existence of a new baby because it has yet to celebrate its first birthday. Despite disclaimers most observances will begin next January.

The reason we call it the year 2000 is that historians estimated Jesus Christ was born about 2000 years ago and the calendars we use follow that time designation. I suppose non-Christians might have protested at the time but finally agreed the calendar has to start somewhere.

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A couple of years ago we were in Turkey, on a mountain near a city called Izmir, where we examined a small stone house. The Turks claim this was the house in which the Virgin Mary lived her last years and died.

They say that after the Crucifixion of Jesus, as outlined in the Christian Bible, Mary was taken by John for safekeeping to this place in what is now western Turkey.

Some credence is given to this claim because a pilgrimage has been set up for the year 2000 and the Turks say the pope will be there. That will be a busy year for pilgrimages as many Christians will travel to Bethlehem as well.

Archaeologists have examined foundation stones of the house and say they date back to the First Century AD. The upper structure has been rebuilt, retaining some of the original design. If this design is authentic then Mary must have been quite small in stature.

The alcove that was supposed to be her bed is between four and five feet long.

If you go there take a bus. The switch backs and tourist traffic make travel hair-raising.