Amshit – The church of St Elishah

Church of the Lord, Bqaa Kafra, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة الرب

City:  Bcharreh

District:  Bcharre

Governorate:  North

Hamatoura Monastery, Karm Saddeh, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  دير رقاد السيدة - حمطورة

City:  Kousba

District:  Koura

Governorate:  North

History: 

On the northern side of the village of Kousba, is the monastery of Our Lady of Hamatoura, built in the rocky hollow of a high cliff which overlooks the holy valley of Kadisha. Hamatoura is 84km from Beirut.

The church of Saint Jacob is the most ancient part of the monastery, belonging to the 4th century, while a large cross from the 7th century rises above the outer doorway. Some quite well preserved frescoes dating back to the middle ages cover the walls of the church, one of which shows the Holy Virgin, Queen of Heaven, seated on a throne with the Child Jesus on her knees.

Near the monastery are two venerable churches, one dedicated to Saint Michael and the other to Saint John the Baptist. On the top of the hill one can see the church of St. George. Close by the monastery is a rocky cave where one may perceive the base of a stalagmite, where barren women come to pray in the hope of bearing a child, for this grotto was dedicated to the pagan goddess of fecundity.

Late in the 13th century, at Our Lady Monastery in Hamatoura, Saint Jacob began his ascetic life. Later, when the monastery was destroyed by the Mamlukes, he reestablished monasticism along the perimeter of the ruined monastery. In time, he rebuilt the monastery, regenerating and giving renewed vigor to monastic life in the area. His spiritual briskness, vivacity, and popularity among believers drew the attention of the Mamelukes who set their minds to stop his verve and determination and force him to convert to Islam. He stubbornly refused their relentless pressures. The Mamlukes killed him and burned the church. Today, believers and pilgrims are constantly reporting his apparitions, miraculous healings and other Grace-filled deeds.

Hajjeh, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة سيّدة المزار

City:  Hajjeh

District:  Saida

Governorate:  South

History: 

كنيسة سيّدة المزار - الحجة

بُنيت الكنيسة أواخر القرن الثامن عشر مع قدوم المسيحيّين إلى البلدة، وكانت كنيستهم الأساسيّة. تعرّضت للسلب خلال أحداث سنة ١٨٦٠. أُهملت الكنيسة بعد بناء كنيسة مار يوسف وسط البلدة، وأعيد ترميمها مؤخّرًا. الكنيسة مبنيّة بأسواقٍ ثلاث أفقيّة على نمط العليّة في البيت اللبنانيّ مسقوفة بالخشب وقد أُضيفت إليها قبّة صغيرة وقت الترميم.

The Church of Our Lady of Mzaar - El Hajje

The church is the original parochial church of the village, built during the late 18th century. It was sabotaged during the war of 1860 and remained abandoned after the construction of St. Joseph's Church in the village center. However, it has been recently restored. The structure of the church resembles that of a cenacle in a traditional Lebanese house, with three horizontal aisles. A dome was added to the structure during the restoration.