Welcome to Saidnaya's Website

Here are some of Saidnaya churches; more information and pictures will be added upon availability 
Monastery Of Our Lady of Saidnaya
The convent of St. Thomas
Church of St. George
St. George Monastery
St.Ajia Sophia's church
Cherobim Monastery
St.Peter's Church

Monastery Of Our Lady of Saidnaya: Among the sacred sanctuaries, this Monastery is second in importance to  Jerusalem. It was built around 1500 years ago. Then, it was called the Fort, referring to its position on the rocky top of the mountain, which made it looked like a fortified Castle. Some visitors and writers think that the Monastery was an actual fort, and was then converted to a church, this is what impresses  visitors, who view it for the first time.

This magnificent building is located on a high mount, overlooking the town of  Saidnaya. There is a library containing collections of valuable manuscripts, among which are the plans for the Monastery, dated 547 A.D.

The history of building goes : Byzantine emperor, Justinian 1,  was leading his armies to fight Persia. Upon reaching the Syrian desert he set up camp. His men were tired and thirsty. Suddenly the emperor’s eyes caught sight of a delicious deer. He chased it until it stopped exhausted on a mound near a fountain of clear and fresh water. Before he had a chance to use his arrow and spear, the animal turned into an icon of the blessed Virgin. From that icon, a white hand was stretched to the king and a voice told him "You are not going to kill me, but you will build a Church for me, here on this mound". Then the shadow of the deer vanished. The emperor told his assistants what he had seen, and gave orders to make a design for the church. The engineers couldn't agree on a suitable design, so the Virgin appeared to Justinian in a dream, and told him about a magnificent design. It is believed that, this design represent the same architecture of the Holy Monastery, and it still displays the Byzantine glory and beauty.

The convent of St. Thomas: One of the largest Roman monuments, enjoys the most beautiful site on the top of a mountain, 2 km to the north of Saidnaya. From there, visitors can enjoy scenic views. 
Parts of the outside wall in addition to the stairs, cut into the rocks, and are still visible even today. The church walls are decorated with pictures and Greek writings, which are deteriorating. Through the conspicuous relics of the convent visitors can see the great importance it had.
There is a large grotto, which is engraved in massive rocks, with all its pillars, apertures, and thresholds. It is thought that it was either a burial site or a gathering place for priests. It has a library known as Big Divan grotto, for its many books and records.

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Church of St. George: In the heart of the town. It was renewed and enlarged recently. This church is one of the biggest churches of Saidnaya. 

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St. George Monastery: It was in a state of collapse, but it was renewed, improved and enlarged together with its outside yard. Within the walls of the monastery there is a small church built of cut stones. To the south, are some newer cells. In one of these cells, there is an icon showing St. George riding his horse and slaying the dragon. To commemorate this day a feast is celebrated on the 6th of May, "Martyrs day" it is one of the most important feasts in the town.

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St.Ajia Sophia's church: Also known as "The Church of Congregation". It is one of the most beautiful churches of Saidnaya, because of its vastness, and modern architecture. It contains many beautiful painted icons. It has two doors with the main one facing the Monastery of Our Lady of Saidnaya.

Cherobim Monastery: Cherubeem is a word of Aramic origin, which means the Angels. It is compound of Cherub = the angel. And beem = sign of plural "All, many".
This monastery is situated on the highest Eastern tip of mount Al Qllamoun, 1910 m above sea level. Visitors can reach the monastery via a mountainous paved and winding road, which starts at Boustan Dier Al Sayeda, off the main road between Saidnaya and Maaloula. The monastery is 35 km from Damascus and 7 km from Saidnaya.
It was built in the third century A.D, because of oppression against Christians by pagans. It was destroyed in the 16th century, rebuilt in 1982 during the time of Aghnatius IV Hazeem the Patriarch of Antioch and all the Eastern regions, with the help of Mother Cathrine Abi Haidar, the Abbess of Our Lady of Saidnaya Patriarchal Monastery.

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St.Peter's Church: 
It is a great monument that remained from the Roman period. It has the appearance of an unapproachable tower or a square fortress, knotted with large stones, well cut and arranged. It is raised from the level of earth by three steps that surround it from all sides. This adds to its magnificence and brilliancy. It can  be entered from a small door with a spiral staircase leading to the roof.
The value of this church is enhanced by the belief that it is the oldest temple in Saidnaya, that survived from the days of the Pagans . It is perfectly preserved, however, there are no writing or any evidence to indicate the exact date of its construction or when it was converted into a church. Before, it was known as The Church of St. Peter and Paul. The present door seems to have been modified from its original size which was bigger. This confirms the belief that it was a military site during the rule of The Roman Empire.