Behdaydat – Saint Estephan

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.

Mar Maroun Church, Beit ed-Dine, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كاتدرائيّة مار مارون

City:  Beit Ed-Dine

District:  Chouf

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كاتدرائيّة مار مارون - بيت الدّين
سنة ١٨٢٩ وهب الأمير قاسم شهاب المطران يوحنا الحلو (البطريرك لاحقًا) قطعة أرض لبناء كنيسة على اسم مار مارون لأبناء البلدة، هذه الكنيسة الأولى هي السكرستيّا اليوم. سعى لبناء الكنيسة الحاليّة الأمير بشير الثاني الشهابيّ الكبير، وكرّسها البطريرك يوسف حبيش في زيارته لمركز الإمارة في أيّار سنة ١٨٣٧، وجعلها كرسيًّا لرئيس أساقفة صور وصيدا المطران عبدالله البستاني، وبنى له دارًا للمطرانيّة بقربها، ليكون مركز المطران بجوار مركز الإمارة. تعرّضت الكنيسة للتخريب مرّتين: سنة ١٨٦٠ و١٩٨٣. أعيد ترميمها أخيرًا في تسعينيّات القرن العشرين.

The Cathedral of St Maroun - Beit El Din
In 1829 Prince Qasem Chehab gave Bishop Youhanna El Helou (later Patriarch) a parcel of land to build a church dedicated to St Maroun on, this old church is used today as a sacristy. The current cathedral was built by Prince Bechir the second Chehab and consecrated by Patriarch Youssef Hobeich during his visit to the seat of power in Beit El Din in May 1838, and made it the seat of the archbishop of Tyr and Sidon, with its first prelate Archbishop Abdallah El Boustany. The archbishopric was constructed adjacent to the church, so that the seat of the Archbishop would be near the princely palace. The church was devastated during the wars of 1860 and 1983, and finally renovated during the nineties.

Church St Antoine de Padoue - Mayrouba, Ain El Tannour, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار أنطونيوس البادوانيّ الجديدة

City:  Mayrouba

District:  Keserwan

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة مار أنطونيوس الجديدة - ميروبا

بنيت الكنيسة أواسط القرن العشرين، بهندسة حديثة. مدخلها كلاسيكيّ الهندسة. لوحة مار أنطونيوس البادوانيّ غير موقّعة، تتميّز كون القدّيس يتلقى البركة من الطفل يسوع وهو يضمّ يديه بشكل صليب.

The new church of St Anthony of Padua - Mayrouba

The church was built in the middle of the XXth century. The entrance has neoclassical motifs. St Anthony’s painting is not signed and is original, representing the saint getting the blessing from the Child Jesus having his hands crossed.