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2011-03-29
Al Maryameiah Church
Almaryameiah Church... One of the Oldest Churches in the
Middle East. 
The church before Islamic innovation: Almaryameiah church is situated in an area in Old Damascus,
to left of the way that leads to the eastern gate. It has undergone much
destruction throughout history but it was kept safe and protected during the Islamic
invasion in year 635 A.D; where the Islamic troops conquered Damascus through
its two gates: the eastern gate, guided by Khaled Bin Alwaleid, and the western
gate, led by Abi Obaydah Bin Aljarrah. A truce was held by Serjon Alnasery, who
was the grandfather of Saint Johns of Damascus, the two armies assembled by the
doors of this church which was closed and considered as city property. The church after Islamic innovation: In the year 706, during the reign of the Islamic leader Omar
Bin Abed Alaziz, the church was returned to its original owners. It was
restored and renovated into a great church but later to be burnt in the year
926, then the Islamic leader Almuktader Billah gave orders to rebuild the
church. Later in 1009, the church was burnt by orders from the leader Biamer
Allah Alfatemy but he allowed it to be rebuilt again a year later. In 1400, the
Timorlink troops destroyed the church and stole its treasures and belongings but
it was later restored by the archbishop Mikael the third. A great earthquake
hit Damascus in the year 1759 which left cracks in the church's walls, Daniel
the archbishop ordered it to be brought down and rebuild in the year 1777. By
1860, the church was ruined, the archbishop Airothios the first rebuilt it and
adjoined to it the hall of Cabrianos and Uostina church and cancelled Saint
Nicholas church to form the Almaryameiah church which stands till this day.
Almaryameiah church has undergone many reconstruction works throughout history;
the last was made in 1998 by Michael Merhej. Description of Almaryameiah church: This church can congregate a number of 600 visitors and many
masses and spiritual practices are performed there, it is built in the
Bizantenian architecture style. Its ceiling is made of wood and its walls are
designed and decorated with religious paintings and Christian symbols from the bible.
The centre of the church is a hall, on its sides lie two stone minarets which
were used by priests to read the bible from and in each of them lay an area
that is called Balbyma, which is where the choir stood to sing and praise the
lord. A priest stands on a red podium to pray and behind this podium is an
alter and special rooms that are used by the priest during mass, on the left
and right side of this alter you will find red benches where visitors can sit
during the mass, in the past, women and men sat separately and in different
sections during prayer. Almaryameiah church is a one of the greatest and oldest
churches in the Middle East; you will be amazed and overwhelmed by its history,
design ,details and its architecture.
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