Bcharreh – Church of God

كنيسة مار شليطا, Hadchit, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  محبسة مار شلّيطا

City:  Hadchit

District:  Bcharre

Governorate:  North

History: 

محبسة مار شلّيطا - وادي المذابح حدشيت

وادي المذابح هو من روافد الوادي المقدَس، وفيه محبسة مار أرتاميوس (شليطا) وتعود للقرن الحادي عشر. مؤلّفة من عقد سريريّ ينتهي بحنية نصف دائريّة، البناء أصبح اليوم أثرًا. في الموقع بقايا عظام بشريّة.

The Hermitage of St Chalita - The valley of Mazabeh Hadsheet

The valley of Mazabeh is a part of the Holy Valley descending from Hadsheet. In the valley stands the hermitage of St Artemius (Chalita in syriac) dating back to the XIth century. The building is in ruins consisting of a cribbed vault ending with a semi circular apse. The church contains remains of human bones.

St Peter & Paul Church, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار بطرس وبولس

City:  Qornet Chehouane

District:  Metn

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة مار بطرس وبولس - قرنة شهوان

شيّد أهالي قرنة شهوان كنيسةً بإسم الرسولين بطرس وبولس في أواخر القرن السابع عشر دفع معظم أكلافها الحاج مفرج غبريل، وكرّسها المطران الياس محاسب سنة ١٧٢٠. تجدّدت باتّفاق وتبرّعات سكان القرية عمومًا بسعي المطران بطرس الزغبي نحو سنة ١٩٠٨. تجدّد بناء الكنيسة عام ١٩١٢ في عهد الخوري إلياس زعرور كاهن الرعية، فأتت برسمها الباريسي آية قي الجمال والإبداع. سنة ١٩٩٦، رُممت الكنيسة و رُسمت الزجاجيات. الكنيسة بناء نيوغوطيّ الطراز.

The church of Sts. Peter and Paul - Cornet Chehwan

The church was built in the late 17th century, and the greater part of its expenses were covered by Hajj Moufarrej Ghobril. It was consecrated by Bishop Elias Mhaseb in 1720. Through the initiative of Fr. Elias Zaarour and the locals, it was rebuilt in 1912 and reconsecrated by Bishop Boutros el Zoghby. The church was reconstructed in a Neo-Gothic style with Parisian-inspired decorations. In 1996, it was renovated and stained glass windows were added.

Hermel, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  دير مار مارون على نهر العاصي

City:  Hermel

District:  Hermel

Governorate:  Baalbek-Hermel

History: 

The monastery of St Maroun on the Orontes - Hermel

The monastery was originally a natural cave consisting of three sections, it was expanded by Roman builders working in nearby stone quarries. It is situated above Ain El Zarqa, one of the sources of the Orontes River, and connected to the river via a corridor carved into the mountainside. This was used to fetch water and provide a hiding place during enemy attacks. In the VIth century, Maronite monks sought refuge in the cave after facing persecution in northern Syria, where their monastery was destroyed and its contents dispersed. The monks expanded the cave and carved an altar, turning the cave into a new monastery. This marked the beginning of the Maronite migration to the mountains of Lebanon along the Orontes River. Over time, the monastery was neglected and became an abandoned farm. In 2011, it was visited by Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi and has since been restored in 2018, returning to the Maronite Church. The monastery serves as a testament to the spread and perseverance of the Maronite Church in the Levant.