The month of May was specially devoted to the worship of the goddess of Ephesus. The universal honor in which this deity was held, the magnificence of her temple and her worship, attracted an immense concourse of people from all parts of the province of Asia. Throughout the entire month the festivities were conducted with the utmost pomp and splendor. The gods were represented by persons chosen for the purpose, who were regarded as objects of worship, and were honored by processions, sacrifices, and libations. Musical contests, the feats of athletes, and the fierce combats of men and beasts, drew admiring crowds to the vast theaters. The officers chosen to conduct this grand celebration were the men of highest distinction in the chief cities of Asia. They were also persons of vast wealth, for in return for the honor of their position, they were expected to defray the entire expense of the occasion. The whole city was a scene of brilliant display and wild revelry. Imposing processions swept to the grand temple. The air rung with sounds of joy. The people gave themselves up to feasting, drunkenness, and the vilest debauchery.{LP 141.1}

Maj måned blev særlig brugt til tilbede Efesus’ gudinde. Den universelle ære som denne guddommelighed havde, hendes tempels herlighed og hendes tilbedelse, tiltrak en masse mennesker fra alle dele af Lilleasien. Der blev afholdt fester hele måneden med den største pragt og glans. Guderne blev fremstillet af forskellige personer til formålet, som blev betragtet som genstand for tilbedelse, og blev æret ved processioner, ofre og drikgilder. Musikkonkurrencer, atletstævner, og krigslystne mænd og dyr, drev de beundrende menneskeskarer til de umådelige teatre. De embedsmænd som var valgt til denne store begivenhed, var højthædrede mænd i Asiens hovedbyer. De var alle umådeligt rige mænd, for som gengæld for deres ærefulde position, blev det forventet at de afholdt alle udgifterne ved den lejlighed. Hele byen var et sceneri for strålende opvisning og vildt gilde. Imponerende ejendomme blev fejet til det store tempel. Luften genlød af glædesråb. Folk hengav sig selv til fest, drukkenskab, og de vildeste udsvævelser.