Beit El Din – The Cathedral of St Maroun

Saint Maroun Church, Haiyatah, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار مارون

City:  Hayata

District:  Keserwan

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة مار مارون - حياطة

بنى أهالي الحياطة كنيسة مار مارون وهي على شكل عقدٍ مصالب سنة ١٨٨٠. كرّسها المطران يوحنّا الحاج (البطريرك لاحقًا)، وقد أوحى وجه هذا الأسقف الفنّان حبيب سرور ليرسم لوحة مار مارون برصانته. تضمّ الكنيسة لوحة البشارة للخوري موسى ديب الدلبتاوي. رمّمت الكنيسة سنة ٢٠٠٨.

The Church of St Maroun - Haiyatah

The villagers constructed the parish church of St Maroun in 1880. The structure is a cross-vault building. It was consecrated by Bishop Youhanna El Hage (later Patriarch) whose face, due to his serenity, served as a model for that of St Maroun when the painting was created by Habib Srour. The church also features an Annunciation painting by Fr Moussa Dib from Dlebta. The church underwent restoration in 2008.

Prophet Elijah Greek Melkite Church, Aalma El Chaeb, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة النبي إيليا للروم الملكيين الكاثوليك - علما الشعب

Year built:  1875

City:  Aalma Ech-Chaab

District:  Sour

Governorate:  South

History: 

تقع كنيسة النبي إيليا للروم الملكيين الكاثوليك في بلدة علما الشعب، وهي جزء من تقليد مسيحي عريق يعود إلى قرون في هذه المنطقة. عُرفت البلدة منذ القرن التاسع عشر بوجود جماعات مسيحية، خصوصًا من الروم الملكيين والمَوارنة، وكانت تضم عدة كنائس صغيرة لخدمة الأهالي. تنتمي الكنيسة إلى الكنيسة الملكية الكاثوليكية ذات الجذور المرتبطة ببطريركية أنطاكية، وتتبع الطقس البيزنطي. وقد كُرِّست للنبي إيليا (مار إلياس)، وهو من أبرز الشخصيات الروحية في المنطقة. تُعدّ الكنيسة اليوم مركزًا دينيًا واجتماعيًا لأبناء الرعية، حيث تُقام فيها الصلوات والاحتفالات الدينية، خاصة عيد مار إلياس في 20 تموز.

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.