Beit Chabeb – The church of Our Lady of the Forest

Sarba Church, Sarba, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة السيّدة الجديدة

City:  Sarba En-Nabatieh

District:  Nabatieh

Governorate:  Nabatieh

History: 

كنيسة السيّدة الجديدة - صربا الجنوب

بُنيت الكنيسة سنة ١٩٤٦ وكرّسها المطران أغوسطينوس البستاني. بناؤها بازيليكيّ الطراز بثلاث أسواقٍ وحنية نصف دائريّة. رُمّمت الكنيسة بعد زلزال سنة ١٩٥٦، وأُضيفت إليها قبّة الجرس. تضمّ الكنيسة أيقونةً أورشليميّة عجائبيّة للسيّدة العذراء وهي التي حمت الأهالي خلال الحرب العالميّة الأولى.

The new Church of Our Lady - Sarba, South Lebanon.

The church was constructed in 1946 and consecrated by Archbishop Augustine el-Boustany. This basilical church features three naves and a semi-circular apse. Following the earthquake of 1956, the structure underwent restoration, and a bell tower was subsequently added to the church. Notably, the church houses an icon of the Theotokos from the school of Jerusalem, which is believed to possess miraculous properties. According to the local community, this icon protected the village during World War I, serving as a source of divine intervention and safeguarding.

Eglise Saint-Antoine le Grand, Beit Chabeb, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار أنطونيوس الكبير

City:  Beit Chabab

District:  Metn

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة مار أنطونيوس الكبير - بيت شباب

بَنت عائلة الأشقر كنيسة على إسم القدّيس أنطونيوس الكبير، حوالي سنة ١٨٤٨. سنة ١٩٥٧، هُدمت الكنيسة القديمة التي كان قد صدّعها الزلزال، وبُنيت على أنقاضها كنيسةً حديثةً، على عهد رئيس الدير الأب أنطونيوس راشد أبي يونس. هذه الكنيسة تتبع بهندستها شكل البازيليك، وهي مؤلّفة من ثلاثة صحون تفصل بينها العواميد. لقد اكتست بجدرانيّات رسَمها الفنان أسعد رنّو سنة ١٩٦٦.

The church of St Anthony the Great - Beit Chabab

The first church was built by Al Ashkar family in 1848. It was destroyed after its walls were weakened by the earthquake of 1957 and the new church was built by Fr. Antonios Rashed Abi Younes according to a basilical plan with three naves separated by a row of columns. The church was decorated with frescoes by Asaad Renno in 1966.

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.