MONASTERY OF ST: SARKIS AND BAKHOS

Maloula is considered, since the beginning of Christianity, an important religious center, like all other areas, revived and emerged from caverns to the surface after the issue of Milano statute 313 AD, whe, Caesar Constantine permitted religious freedom. This, encouraged them to face paganism, and destroy temples, changing then into churches. So, monastery of St. Sarkis is one of them, the church was built, according to archaeologist of Christian ruins between 313-325 AD, the date of the first Ecumenical Synod, with the participation of Maloula´s bishop under the name Aphtikhis. Now, the remnant altars joined properties of paganism and Christianity, it is a product of transitional period between what is inherited, and retained in minds and the new that has the soul of revolution against old values and prevalent traditions, and prevailing comprehension.

MONASTERY OF ST. TAKLA

Myth tell us, how providence interfered to save the fugitive Christian girl protecting her from the soldier of her pagan father, after passing long distances, she faced a high rocky wall, then she implored to God to find her an exit, so the gap was created, it is a narrow passage between two high rocky mountains, so, she escaped and resorted to a cavern in the mountains which leaks water from its roof. This cavern became her residence, till she was buried in it. Honouring her, it was called "St Takla Gap", and near it was established the oldest holy shrine in the world that included the tomb of the fist martyr in Christianity.

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