Baskinta – Our Lady of the Assumption

Saint Francis Convent Bed & Breakfast, ST Francis Street, Mina, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  دير مار فرنسيس الأسيزيّ

City:  Mina N:1

District:  Tripoli

Governorate:  North

History: 

يعود وجود الفرنسيسكان حرّاس الأراضي المقدّسة في مدينة طرابلس الى القرن سنة ١٢١٧. أقاموا ديرهم الأوّل في هذه البقعة، وأعيد البناء مع الكنيسة سنة ١٨٦٠. رُمّم الدّير سنة ١٩٤٧ وبنيت شرفة فوق الكنيسة. كذلك بنيت مدرسة بقيت الى سنة ٢٠١٤. يقوم الدّير اليوم برسالة في قلب مدينة طرابلس مع كافة أطياف المجتمع المحليّ.

The Friary of St Francis of Assisi - El Mina Tripoli

The presence of the Franciscains Custodians of the Holy Land in Tripoli goes back to 1217. Their first friary was built on this site, and rebuilt in the current structure in 1860. The building was restored in 1947 and a balcony was added over the church. The friary housed a school that remained open until 2014. Today the friary is a Franciscan mission in the heart of Tripoli working with all the people of the local society.

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.

Église Notre Dame de la Falaise, Ehmej, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة سيّدة الشير

City:  Ehmej

District:  Jbeil

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة سيّدة الشير - إهمج

كنيسة سيدة الشير الرعائيّة العجائبيّة، دُعيت بهذا الإسم نسبةً إلى المكان الذي أقيمت عليه وهو شير صخريّ يبلغ ارتفاعه حوالي خمسين مترًا. تعود الكنيسة الأولى إلى العصور الوسطى، وخُرّبت وأعيد بناؤها سنة ١٦٧٦، بعد عودة الأهالي إلى القرية. بدأ العمل في بناء الكنيسة بشكلها الحاليّ سنة ١٩٠٠ وتمّ إنجازها في العام ١٩٢٠. وهي تشتهر بعجائبها الكثيرة.

The church of Our Lady of the cliff - Ehmej

The parish church of our Lady was named after a 50 meter limestone cliff above which it stands. The first medieval church was sabotaged and rebuilt in 1676 after the Maronites' return to the village. In 1900 the church took its current form and was completed in 1920. The church is a pilgrimage site famous for the miracles that happened there.