Saydet Elige
Saydet Elige (سيدة إليج) or Our Lady of Elige, holds deep religious and historical significance for the Maronite
-The Monastery of Our Lady of Elige was the third residence of the Maronite Patriarchs after the Monasteries of Saint John in Kfarhay and Our Lady of Yanooh near Kartaba.
-The Maronite patriarchs resided here for a long period, enduring persecution, torment, and massacres at the feet of the Virgin Mary.
-Eighteen patriarchs sat on the throne of Elige, with seven buried in the heart of the temple.
-The monastery was built on the ruins of a pagan temple after the area’s inhabitants converted to Christianity.
-Two inscriptions are engraved on the walls of the monastery, marking its construction:
"In the name of the eternal living Son, in the year 1746 AD, the temple was renewed by priests Ammon and Mina. It was originally constructed in 1121 AD by four patriarchs: Peter, Jeremiah, Jacob, and John."
-A cross is engraved with a Syriac verse: "By You, we conquer our enemies, and in Your name, we trample our haters."
-The monastery holds a precious treasure: the oldest icon known to the Maronite Church. The icon was found in the Maronite patriarchal residence in Qattara – Mayfouk, at the Monastery of Our Lady of Elige. It accompanied the patriarchs from 1121 AD until 1440 AD, after which it remained preserved in a box, despite being exposed to damaging factors due to poor preservation.
The icon was restored by the Sisters of the Carmelite Order in 1985, with the restoration taking about six years. X-ray imaging and studies revealed that the icon has multiple layers of painting, with the oldest layer dating back to the 10th century, making it the oldest Maronite icon in Lebanon and the diaspora.
https://www.gabyreaidy.com/sections/media/album/41
-The Monastery of Our Lady of Elige was the third residence of the Maronite Patriarchs after the Monasteries of Saint John in Kfarhay and Our Lady of Yanooh near Kartaba.
-The Maronite patriarchs resided here for a long period, enduring persecution, torment, and massacres at the feet of the Virgin Mary.
-Eighteen patriarchs sat on the throne of Elige, with seven buried in the heart of the temple.
-The monastery was built on the ruins of a pagan temple after the area’s inhabitants converted to Christianity.
-Two inscriptions are engraved on the walls of the monastery, marking its construction:
"In the name of the eternal living Son, in the year 1746 AD, the temple was renewed by priests Ammon and Mina. It was originally constructed in 1121 AD by four patriarchs: Peter, Jeremiah, Jacob, and John."
-A cross is engraved with a Syriac verse: "By You, we conquer our enemies, and in Your name, we trample our haters."
-The monastery holds a precious treasure: the oldest icon known to the Maronite Church. The icon was found in the Maronite patriarchal residence in Qattara – Mayfouk, at the Monastery of Our Lady of Elige. It accompanied the patriarchs from 1121 AD until 1440 AD, after which it remained preserved in a box, despite being exposed to damaging factors due to poor preservation.
The icon was restored by the Sisters of the Carmelite Order in 1985, with the restoration taking about six years. X-ray imaging and studies revealed that the icon has multiple layers of painting, with the oldest layer dating back to the 10th century, making it the oldest Maronite icon in Lebanon and the diaspora.
https://www.gabyreaidy.com/sections/media/album/41