Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian
Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi (Syriac: ܕܝܪܐ ܪܡܪܝ ܡܘܫܐ ܟܘܫܝܐ deiro d-mor mūše kūšoyo; Arabic: دير مار موسى الحبشي, ALA-LC: dayr mār Mūsá al-Ḥabashī), literally the Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian, is a monastic community of the Syriac Catholic Church located near the town of Nabk, approximately 80 km (50 mi) north of Damascus, on the eastern slopes of the Anti-Lebanon.[1][2] The main church of the monastic compound hosts precious frescoes dating to the 11th and 12th century.
Location within Syria | |
Monastery information | |
---|---|
Other names | Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi |
Established | 6th century |
Dedicated to | Saint Moses the Abyssinian |
Diocese | Syriac Catholic Church |
Site | |
Location | Nabk, Syria |
Coordinates | 34°1′18″N 36°50′32″E |
Public access | Yes |
An ancient building, stone circles, lines and tombs were recently discovered near the monastery in 2009 by archaeologist Robert Mason of the Royal Ontario Museum. Mason suggested that the ruins may date back 10,000 years and were likely constructed in Neolithic period (such as the Heavy Neolithic Qaraoun culture of the Anti-Lebanon). In 1838, the place, named Deir Mar Musa, was noted as having a Syriac population.[3]
References
- Ali-Dib, Edith (2008-02-03). "Inter-religious Dialogue in Syria: Politics, Ethics and Miscommunication". Political Theology. 9 (1): 93–113. doi:10.1558/poth.v9i1.93. ISSN 1462-317X.
- Saldaña, Stephanie. (2010). The bread of angels : a journey of love and faith. New York: Anchor Books. ISBN 978-0-307-28046-6. OCLC 664668663.
- Smith, in Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 173
Bibliography
External links
- The official site of Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi
- The Monastery of St Moses, Syria at the Royal Ontario Museum
- Pictures of Deir Mar Musa (scroll to bottom)