Bhorsaf – The monastery of St Joseph

NOTRE DAME NOURRICIÈRE كنيسة سيدة البزاز, Beit Chabeb, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة سيّدة البزاز

City:  Beit Chabab

District:  Metn

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة سيّدة البزاز - بيت شباب

بنتها عائلة غبريل سنة ١٨٣٥ في حيّ بيت الزعرور. تجدّدت سنة ١٨٧٥ وأعيد تكريسها على يد المطران نعمة الله سلوان سنة ١٩٠٦. في الكنيسة لوحتين مريميّتين الأولى هي العذراء المرضعة لداوود القرم تعود لسنة ١٨٨٢، والثانية أقدم عهدًا غير موقعة. ولوحة لمار الياس عمل حبيب سرور سنة ١٨٨٨، وأخرى لمار يوسف بلا توقيع.

The church of our Lady of the Milk - Beit Chabab

The church was built by the Ghobril family in 1835 in the area known as Beit el Zaarour. In 1875 it was renewed and reconsecrated by Bishop Nematullah Selwan in 1906. The church holds two marian paintings: the first by Dawoud El Qorm from 1882 representing the breastfeeding mother, the second one is older and not signed. It also contains a painting of St Joseph not signed, with another of St Elias by Habib Srour from 1888.

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.

Saint John the Baptist Church - كنيسة مار يوحنا المعمدان, Aamchit, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار يوحنّا المعمدان

City:  Aamchit

District:  Jbeil

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة مار يوحنّا المعمدان - كفركخلي عمشيت

بُنيت كنيسة أولى في الموضع سنة ١٧٥٠ على اسم مار روحانا. أواخر القرن التاسع عشر وُسِّعت على شكل عقدٍ مُصالبٍ وكُرّست على اسم مار يوحنّا المعمدان لتُصبح كنيسةً رعائيّة. تضمّ الكنيسة ثلاث لوحات محليّة الصنع: عماد المسيح، مار روحانا ومار يوسف.

The church of St John the Baptist - Kfarkekhly Amchit

The first church was built in 1750 and dedicated to St Rouhana. The current large crossed vaulted structure was built in the late XIXth century and dedicated to St John the Baptist as a parochial church. The church holds three locally made paintings: The Theophany, St Rouhana, St Joseph.