Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus
The Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus, also known as the Maryamiyya Church (Arabic: الكَنِيسَة المَرْيَمِيَّة, romanized: al-Kanīsah al-Maryamīyah), is one of the oldest Greek Orthodox churches in Damascus, Syria and holds the seat of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch. The church complex is located on the Street Called Straight.[1]
History
A first church was built during at an unknown time. After the Muslim conquest of Damascus the church was closed until 706 AD when al-Walid ordered that it be returned to the Christians as a compensation for the Church of John the Baptist which was turned into the Umayyad Mosque.[1]
The church was destroyed and rebuilt several times in later years.[1] It was described by Ibn Jubayr as:
Inside the town there is a church which is very important to the Romans. It is known as the Church of Mary. Its importance comes after the Church of Jerusalem. It is a beautiful building includes miraculous pictures which appeal to mind and eyes. It is in the hands of the Romans and nobody objects to them at it.[2]
In 1342, the Patriarchal See of Antioch was transferred from Antioch to Damascus and the church served as the seat of the Greek Orthodox Church in the East.[1]
The church was burned down by mobs, along with most of the Christian quarter, when the 1860 Druze-Christian conflict in Lebanon spilt over into Damascus, and was rebuilt three years later. It was last renovated in 1953.[1]
Sections
Church of Mary
The Church of Mary is the main church building, and dates back to the late 4th century.[3]
Chapel of Saint Tekla
The chapel was added to the complex after the restoration of the cathedral in 1840. It comprises the patriarchal seat of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.[3]
Chapel of Catherine
The chapel was added after restoration works. It contains a small museum dedicated to the history of the church.[3]
Gallery
- Mariamite Cathedral, Damascus, with the 'Umariyya Minaret at the front, to the right
- Façade of the cathedral in 2010
- Belfry of the cathedral
References
- ^ a b c d e Daniel Demeter: Damaskus – al-Mariyamiyeh Church. Syria Photo Guide, 16 July 2014.
- ^ The Travels of Ibn Jubayr. Ed. William Wright. 2nd edn, revised by M. J. de Goeje, Leiden/London 1907, E. J. W. Gibb Memorial Series 5. Chapter about Damascus online.
- ^ a b c الكنيسة المريمية - تاريخ الكنيسة (Mariamite Church – Church History) Archived February 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
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other landmarks
- Al-Azem Palace
- Khan As'ad Pasha
- Straight Street
- Mausoleum of Saladin
- Umayyad Mosque
- Citadel of Damascus
- Grand Serail of Damascus
- Khadra Palace
- Nur al-Din Bimaristan
- Maktab Anbar
- Hejaz Train Station
- Statue of Saladin
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Temple of Jupiter
- Tishreen Palace
- Al-Shaab Palace
- October War Panorama
Catholic | |
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Eastern Orthodox |
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Oriental Orthodox |
education
- National Museum of Damascus
- Al-Assad National Library
- Damascus Opera House
- Damascus University
- Syrian Virtual University
- International University for Science and Technology
- Syrian Private University
- Arab International University
- Higher Institute for Applied Science and Technology
- Higher Institute of Music in Damascus
- Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts
- National Institute of Administration
- Damascus Community School
- Lycée Charles de Gaulle
- Shami Hospital
- Bakdash (ice cream parlor)
- Bawabet Dimashq
- Havana Cafe
- Beit al-Mamlouka Hotel
- Blue Tower Hotel
- Four Seasons Hotel Damascus
- Baghdad Street
- Marjeh Square
- Rawda Square
- Sabaa Bahrat Square
- Umayyad Square
- Yusuf al-Azma Square
Venues |
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Clubs |
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(List of rulers)
- Aram
- Siege (634)
- Jund Dimashq
- Burid dynasty
- Siege (1148)
- Eyalet
- Affair
- Protocol
- State
- Battle (1941)
- International Airport
- 1976 Pan Arab Games
- World Military Cup 1977
- International Film Festival
- 1981 Azbakiyah bombing
- 1986 bombings
- 1992 Pan Arab Games
- Spring
- 2002 West Asian Football Federation Championship
- 2004 WABA Champions Cup
- Declaration
- 2008 Arab Capital of Culture
- 2008 Arab League summit
- 2008 car bombing
- 2011 bombings
- 2011–2012 clashes
- January 2012 al-Midan bombing
- March 2012 bombings
- April 2012 bombings
- May 2012 bombings
- Battle (2012)
- July 2012 bombing
- 2017 bombings
- Category
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