Syriac Catholic Patriarch Younan Reopens Historic Mor Ephrem Monastery in Lebanon

Syriac Press ^ | 6/21/23

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SHABANIYA, Lebanon — On the feast of Mor Ephrem the Syriac, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Younan presided over a Divine Liturgy and reopened the historic Mor Ephrem Monastery in Shabaniya in Mount Lebanon after more than 160 years of abandonment.

The Divine Liturgy and reopening ceremony was attended by members of clergy and believers. In his sermon, after reading from the Holy Bible, the Patriarch read two verses of Mor Ephrem’s poetry, stressing the importance of reopening the monastery due to its importance to townspeople.

Father Hanna Yako delivered a speech in which he thanked the Patriarch who sought to restore the monastery and asked the monks to move to live in it. He also detailed the history of establishing the monastery and the role played by its monks.