Catholic devotees walk outside the Ephesus House, a replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, at Alfonso town, Cavite province, Philippines, on July 16, 2026.
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A replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines welcomes devotees in Asia’s largest Catholic nation. Father Dennis Paez led the project, which was inaugurated in 2024 in Alfonso, a town in Cavite province. The structure mirrors the original shrine in Ephesus, Turkey, where Mary is believed to have spent her final years. Paez says the site offers refuge and unconditional acceptance. Marian devotion is deeply rooted in Filipino faith, with many turning to Mary for comfort. The replica has attracted pilgrims despite little public promotion, reflecting the Virgin Mary’s enduring significance.
