Mechmech – The Church of St. Doumit

Hermel, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  دير مار مارون على نهر العاصي

City:  Hermel

District:  Hermel

Governorate:  Baalbek-Hermel

History: 

The monastery of St Maroun on the Orontes - Hermel

The monastery was originally a natural cave consisting of three sections, it was expanded by Roman builders working in nearby stone quarries. It is situated above Ain El Zarqa, one of the sources of the Orontes River, and connected to the river via a corridor carved into the mountainside. This was used to fetch water and provide a hiding place during enemy attacks. In the VIth century, Maronite monks sought refuge in the cave after facing persecution in northern Syria, where their monastery was destroyed and its contents dispersed. The monks expanded the cave and carved an altar, turning the cave into a new monastery. This marked the beginning of the Maronite migration to the mountains of Lebanon along the Orontes River. Over time, the monastery was neglected and became an abandoned farm. In 2011, it was visited by Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi and has since been restored in 2018, returning to the Maronite Church. The monastery serves as a testament to the spread and perseverance of the Maronite Church in the Levant.

Bjerrine, Kour El Howa, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار الياس

City:  Jbayl

District:  Jbeil

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة مار الياس - بجرّين
هي البناء الوحيد الباقي من قرية بجرّين التي هُجرت على إثر الحرب العالميّة الأولى. تعود للعهد الصليبيّ، وهي محافِظة على طابعها القديم فلا توجد فيها قبّة جرس. بناؤها بسيط، وتظهر على جدرانها بقايا جداريّات مخفيّة تحت طبقة الكلس.

The church of St Elias - Bjerrin

It is the only standing building in tbe village of Bjerrin that was abandoned after the World War I. The church dates back to the times of the Crusades, and still preserves a modest architecture without a bell tower. On the walls are visible the remains of medieval frescoes under a layer of stuco.

saint joseph -church, Wata El Jaouz, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار يوسف

City:  Ouata El-Jaouz

District:  Keserwan

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة مار يوسف - وطى الجوز
بنيت الكنيسة سنة ١٩١٧ فوق كنيسةٍ أقدم عهدًا. رمّمت وأخذت شكلها الحاليّ سنة ١٩٧٥. لوحة مار يوسف من عمل كنعان ديب الدلبتاوي تعود لسنة ١٨٦٨. تتميّز الكنيسة بقبّة حجريّة بشكل طابيّة كاهن يعلوها صليب.

The church of St Joseph - Wata el Jawz
The church was built in 1917 over an older church, and took its final form in the restoration of 1975. The painting of St Joseph is made by Kanaan Dib in 1868. The bell tower is topped by a sculpture of a Tabye, the traditional maronite priestly hat, with a cross over it.