Aito – Monastery of Saint Simon Al-Qarn

St. Simeon "El Sheikh", Aitou, Lebanon

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دير مار سمعان القرن - أيطو

Ayto

Zgharta

North

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Kfar Aaqab – Notre Dame De l’Annonciation

Eglise Notre-Dame De l'Annonciation - كنيسة سيدة البشارة للروم الأورثوذوكس, Lebanon

كنيسة سيدة البشارة للروم الأورثوذوكس

Kfar Aaqab

Metn

Mount Lebanon

Kousba – Hamatoura Monastery

Hamatoura Monastery, Karm Saddeh, Lebanon

دير رقاد السيدة - حمطورة

Kousba

Koura

North

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.

Hassroun – The church of St Laby the Apostle

St. Jude Church, Hasroun, Lebanon

كنيسة مار لابي الرسول

Hasroun

Bcharre

North

كنيسة مار لابي الرسول - حصرون

بحسب أحد التقاليد بنى الملك حصرائيم (الذي منه اسم بلدة حصرون) قصرًا وهيكلًا في هذا الموضع تحوّل في الجيل الرابع إلى كنيسةٍ على اسم مار لابي وهو اللقب السريانيّ ليهوذا الرسول. بني القسم الشرقيّ من الكنيسة في القرن الثالث عشر، وأضيف سنة ١٧٧٠ القسم الغربيّ. أخذت الكنيسة شكلها مع الصليبيّين، وهي عقد سريريّ منخفض بحنية واحدة. تضمّ الكنيسة مجموعةً من اللوحات التي تعود للقرن الثامن عشر وهي مزيج بين الأيقونة المشرقيّة وفنّ عصر النهضة.

The church of St Laby the Apostle - Hassroun

According to a folk tale, king Hassraym (from whom derived the name Hassroun) built a palace and a temple that was converted in the IVth century into a church dedicated to the apostle Laby (the syriac title given to Thaddeus or Jude). The eastern aisle was built in the XIIIth century. In 1770 the western aisle was built. During the crusaders era the church took its form, a single nave crib vaulted structure beneath the road. The church holds many XVIIth century paintings that are a representation of the local iconography being influenced by the art of the renaissance.