Eh Qobeh Jezzine – The church of St Joseph

Saint Joseph Church, Bteddine El Loqch, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار يوسف

City:  Btedine El-Leqch

District:  Jezzine

Governorate:  South

History: 

كنيسة مار يوسف - بتدين اللقش

بنيت الكنيسة الأولى أوائل القرن التاسع عشر وكانت صغيرةً تعرضت للتخريب بعد حوادث سنة ١٨٦٠. سنة ١٨٧٠ بُنيت الكنيسة الحاليّة بشكل عقدٍ مُصالبٍ. تضمّ الكنيسة لوحتين الأولى للعائلة المقدّسة وهي أيقونة من المدرسة الأورشليميّة تعود لأواسط القرن التاسع عشر أمّا الثانية فهي لوحة غربيّة من أوائل القرن العشرين.

The Church of St. Joseph- Bteden Al-Laqsh

The Church of St. Joseph in Bteden Al-Laqsh has a rich history dating back to the early XIXth century. The original church was constructed in the first half of the 1800s but was unfortunately vandalized during the events of 1860. In response, a new church was constructed in 1870 with a cross-vaulted architectural style. Today, the church is known for its stunning interior, which contains two significant paintings. The first is an icon of the Holy Family from the Jerusalemite school, dating back to the mid-XIXth century. The second is a classical painting from the early XXth century.

El Mkhalles Monastery, Deir El Mkhalles, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  دير المخلّص

City:  Joun

District:  Chouf

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

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.