Abdin – The church of St Sabas

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.

Saint Takla Church - Smar Jbeil, Smar Jbeil, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مارت تقلا

City:  Smar Jbayl

District:  Batroun

Governorate:  North

History: 

كنيسة مارت تقلا - سمار جبيل
هي كنيسة صغيرة بجوار كنيسة مار نوهرا الرعائيّة، مؤلّفة من سوق واحد ينتهي بحنية. بحسب التقليد المحليّ يعود وجود كنيسة لتكريم مارت تقلا بالقرب من كنيسة مار نوهرا، لأنّ شقيقة القديس نوهرا كانت تدعى تقلا، وقد تبعت أخاها في تبشيره، واستشهدت مثل شفيعتها ثم دفنت هي ايضاً في سمار جبيل. إلا أنّه لا دلائل تاريخيّة حتى الآن تثبت هذه المقولة. الكنيسة تعود لأواخر القرن الثامن عشر.

The church of St Thecla - Smar Jbeil

The church is a small chapel near the parish church of St Nohra. It consists of a single aisle ending with an apse. According to local traditions the church is dedicated to the patroness of St Nohra’s sister also called Thecla and also a martyr, yet no historical records show that. The church dates back to the late XVIIIth century.

Lehfed, Lebanon

Name in arabic:  كنيسة مار بطرس وبولس

City:  Lehfed

District:  Jbeil

Governorate:  Mount Lebanon

History: 

كنيسة مار بطرس وبولس - لحفد

هي كنيسة صغيرة في طرف البلدة. بُنيت سنة ١٩١٢ ورُمّمت في تسعينيّات القرن العشرين. الكنيسة بسوق واحد مسقوف. لوحة مار بطرس وبولس من عمل جوزيف زيادة تعود لعام ١٩٥٨.

The church of Sts Peter and Paul - Lehfed
The church is a small chapel on the outskirts of the village. The construction began in 1912, and was restored in the nineties. The church consists of a single roofed nave. The painting of Sts Peter and Paul is made by Joseph Ziade dates back to 1958.