Bherdok – The Monastery of St George

Aintourine, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة سيّدة الشير

City:  Aintourine

District:  Zgharta

Governorate:  North

History: 

كنيسة سيّدة الشير - عينطورين

هي كنيسة على سفح الوادي المقدّس، بُنيت في القرن الثاني عشر، واتّخذها الأسقف تادروس مقرًّا له إلى يوم وفاته سنة ١٥٠٢ بحسب البطريرك الدويهيّ. بقيت الكنيسة فترةً طويلة مُهملة إلى أن رُمّمت في ستينيّات القرن العشرين.

The church of our Lady of the Cliff - Aintourin

The church is built on the cliff side of the Holy Valley. The church was built in the XIIth century and was made an episcopal residence by Bishop Tadros until his death in 1502, according to Patriarch Douweihy. The church was left abandoned for a long time and restored during the sixties.

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.

كنيسة مار جرجس - القليعة Saint George Church - Qlaiaa, Marjaayoun - Bint Jbeil Road, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار جرجس

City:  Qlaiaa

District:  Marjaayoun

Governorate:  Nabatieh

History: 

كنيسة مار جرجس - القليعة
هي كنيسة البلدة الرعائيّة. بُنيت سنة ١٩٠٠ بسعي الخوري عبدالله لاشين، وكرّسها المطران بطرس البستاني مطران صور وصيدا آنذاك. الكنيسة بازيايكيّة الطراز بثلاث أروقة، والعقد يجتمع بقبّة دائريّة مزيّنة بجداريّة المسيح الفادي محاطًا بالإنجيليّين الأربعة. اللوحة الأساسيّة من عمل داوود القرم. أمّا الكنيسة من الخارج فهي بالحجر المقصوب مزيّنة بلونين من الحجارة.

The church of St George - Qlayaa

The parochial church of the town, the church was built in 1900 with the efforts of Fr. Abdalla Lachin and dedicated by Mgr. Boutros el Boustany archbishop of Tyr and Sidon back then. The church follows a basilical floor plan with three naves, and a circular dome decorated with a fresco of Christ the Redeemer surrounded by the four evangelists. The main painting of St George is by Dawoud el Qorm. The facade of the church is a decorative alteration of two kinds of colored stones.