Bickfaya – Saint Michael Church

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.

Our Lady of Bkaa Kafra, Bqaa Kafra, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة سيّدة الإنتقال الجديدة

City:  Bqaa Kafra

District:  Bcharre

Governorate:  North

History: 

كنيسة سيّدة الإنتقال الجديدة - بقاع كفرا

هي الكنيسة الرعائيّة الجديدة. بُنيت على سطح الكنيسة القديمة، سنة ١٩٢٥. تجمع بين القديم والحديث. مسقوفة بالقرميد من الخارج، أمّا من الداخل، فسقفها بغداديّ. تتألق الكنيسة سوق واحدة، وتحتوي على رسومات وصُوَر وزخارف ونقوش على جدرانها، وزجاجيّات على شبابيكها.

The New church of Our Lady of Assumption - Bekaa Kafra

The new parish church of Our Lady was built on top of the old one in 1925, and consists of one nave. The walls are lavishly decorated with frescoes mouldings and arabesques. The roof is of local type of decoration called Baghdady. The church also contains beautiful stained glass windows.

Monastery of Saint Antonios - دير مار مطانيوس, Tannourine El Tahta, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  محبسة مار أنطونيوس الكبير - تنورين التحتا

City:  Tannourine Et-Tahta

District:  Batroun

Governorate:  North

History: 

هي كنيسةٌ مُزدوجةٌ تعود لأواخر القرون الوسطى مبنيّة على ضفاف نهر الجوز. مذبحها الأوّل مُكرّس للسيّدة (والمُرجّح أنّه الأقدم) والثاني لمار أنطونيوس الكبير. هي كنيسة مزار ومحجّ لأبناء المنطقة.

A double late medieval church built on the banks of Al Jawz river. Her first altar is consecrated to the Madonna (and is presumed to be the older part) and the second for St Anthony the great. The church is a local shrine and a pilgrimage site