Arab historians have narrated many stories about the monasteries in our region, from Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt. These stories include many details about the monks’ lifestyles, their worship, and their detachment from the world and its temptations. Here are excerpts from Arab collections of some interesting stories that tell us about some of the tasks that the monasteries performed for those who came to them.
The monasteries performed great humanitarian duties and good deeds by embracing travelers and passersby, providing them with food, water, and fodder for their animals. Ibn Jubayr tells us about the Christians neighboring Mount Lebanon, saying that “if they saw some Muslims who had been cut off, they would bring them food and treat them well, and they would say, ‘These are those who have been cut off from God Almighty, so it is necessary to share with them.’” As for Ibn Battuta, the famous traveler, he says: “Outside Latakia, there is the monastery known as the Monastery of Al-Farous, which is the largest monastery in the Levant and Egypt. It is inhabited by monks, and Christians visit it from all over the world. Every Muslim who descends there is hosted by the Christians, and their food is bread, cheese, olives, and vinegar.” There is a strange story about a monastery in Egypt, which Abu Al-Qasim Al-Sabti talks about, saying: “We saw a number of ropes hanging from the ceiling of this monastery. The monks were asked what they meant? They claimed that they tied the hair of their praying worshippers to it for fear that sleep would overcome them. When we were about to leave this monastery, one of their monks presented us with a plate of barley bread crumbs, chicory leaves, a little vinegar, and a little salt. He claimed that this was the livelihood of the residents of this monastery.”
People went to the monasteries to seek treatment for some physical diseases. Al-Shabashti tells us: “Deir al-Ala opened a large spring that flows into the Tigris River. There is a time of the year when people go there and bathe in it. They say that it cures scabies and itching, and is beneficial for those afflicted with keratosis (a fungal skin disease) and those afflicted with chronic diseases.” Ibn Fadl Allah al-Umari tells us in his book “Masalik al-Absar” about the Monastery of al-Qayyarah (on the banks of the Tigris in the Mosul region) in which there is a spring and beneath it a great hot spring (a hot spring with intermittent, bubbling water). Anyone who has an illness that has baffled doctors goes there and stays there for five days soaking in its water. He is cured of his illness, is cured of gout (a joint disease), relieves cramps, removes tumors, and heals wounds. Some monasteries were also a refuge for the insane, and the most famous monastery in this regard is the Monastery of “Hezekiel” near Basra. Abu al-Mansur al-Tha’alibi, in his book “Fruits of Hearts in the Addition and Attribution,” when he mentions the Monastery of “Hezekiel,” says about it: “It is used as an example of a community of insane people, and it is said of the insane that he is from the Monastery of Hezekiel, because it is a refuge for the insane, who are tied up there and treated.”
Some people used to visit monasteries to admire their landmarks, decorations and images. Al-Isfahani says in his book “Adab al-Ghuraba”: “In Homs there are great churches and ancient ruins that bring peace to the soul, and whoever visits them desires never to leave them… and in them are wonders of images.” Al-Tha’alibi describes a church in Edessa, saying: “It was one of the wonders of the world… and in it are wonders, images, decorations, talismans (obscure lines) and lamps that burn without being lit.” Yaqut al-Hamawi says about the Monastery of al-Rusafa: “I saw it and it is one of the wonders of the world in terms of beauty and architecture.” Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn Ali tells us about the Monastery of al-Qusayr in Egypt, saying: “It was built by Abu al-Jaysh Khumarawayh ibn Ahmad ibn Tulun, and he used to visit this monastery frequently, admiring the images in it.” As for the Deir al-Ba’uth on the banks of the Euphrates, al-Omari mentions its images, saying: “In its temple there is an image of exquisite craftsmanship, of wondrous beauty. It is said that it is hundreds of years old, and its pigments have not changed nor have its colors altered.” Yaqut al-Hamawi mentions about the Deir Ba’antal in the town of Jusiya near Homs that it contains wonders, including “doors in which are images of the prophets engraved and carved, a temple covered with marble on which the foot cannot rest, and an image of Mary on a wall, erect, so that whenever you turn to one side, her eye is upon you.”
Ibn Fadlallah al-Omari describes “Deir Kaftun” saying that it is a monastery in Tripoli built on a mountain. It is a large monastery, and that its construction is “of excellent quality stone and lime, and it has running water…” Many tourists visit it “to see it and take a walk in it.” The historian Muhammad Kurd Ali suggests in his book “Khatat al-Sham” that this monastery is the one known today as “Deir Kaftin.” Al-Omari also describes a monastery called “Deir al-Musalaba” with admiration, saying: “It is an ancient Roman monastery built of stone and lime, well-crafted… I entered and saw this monastery. It has Greek images of the utmost beauty of painting and proportion.” Al-Omari himself mentions the Monastery of Saidnaya saying that it is “built by the Romans with white stone, and is known as the Monastery of Our Lady, and it has running water in a pool that was made there… and Christian sects visit it and come to visit.”
There is much news, stories and talk about the Arab monasteries that have been forgotten, and those that continue to exist by the grace of the Holy Spirit and are visited by believers to seek blessings and to beg a word of life from those who run them. However, we wanted, through this brief article, to shed light on some pages of the history of our Church, which bears witness to its Lord in this region.
From my parish bulletin 2005
