It is interesting to note that the site claimed to be the final resting place of The Virgin is very nr Ephesus. This is usually explained by saying that Mary visited the area with John the Evangelist and stayed there. However the area, as you all know, was the centre for one of the most popular ancient religions in that region - Artemis/Diana. I would suggest that Mary worship at the site is akin to making 1st November all saints day, as it overrides the most important pagan festival - samhain. Equally Mary worship ie, the Mother of God, most powerful xtain woman role model overrides the most ancient pagan female deity. Another way of looking at it is that Goddess worship continued as before, just the name changed.

I have to confess that Artemis is my patron Goddess but I stop short at sacrificing my testicles. :-)

PS If you ever get the chance to visit Ephesus you must go to the site of the orig temple to Artemis which is on the outskirts of modern Selcuk.