St. Elian’s monastery in Syria, destroyed by jihadists, reopened

In a special ceremony attended by Christians and Muslims together

ACN.- In August 2015, the jihadists of the self-styled Islamic State or Daesh (for its acronym in Arabic) had sown ruin and devastation in the ancient Syrian monastery of St. Elian or Mar Elian, in central Syria. The radicals had brutally desecrated the very tomb of the saint, as if to erase what they too had recognized as the beating heart of the shrine.

Now, seven years later, the life, expectations and gratitude of the Christians of the region are once again crowding around the relics of St. Elian. A miracle can be glimpsed that could allow a place of prayer and peace to flourish again around the relics of the Saint for Syrian Christians, and also for their fellow Muslims.

Restoration despite economic difficulties

Father Jacques Mourad, who was the rector of the sanctuary during its destruction and who was also kidnapped for many months, tells of the intense work carried out in the hope of seeing St. Elian again flourish. A work carried out in the midst of difficulties «linked to the economic situation of our country due to the sanctions imposed». The restoration work on the monastery – Father Jacques tells us – began in March with the construction of a wall around the archaeological area, which before the war also included the ancient crypt and the tomb of the saint. The work continued with the search for and collection of ancient stones among the ruins still scattered around the monastery that could be used in the reconstruction. Then came the reconstruction of the crypt and the restoration of the tomb with the recovery of the ancient fragments found.

The desire – confides Father Mourad – was «to celebrate the feast of St. Elian in the monastery, and to bring the relics of the Saint», which had been found and collected by Father Jacques himself near the desecrated tomb and had been brought to safety in Homs. «Relics – continues the priest – that are of great value for the whole village of Qaryatayn, where the monastery is located: both for those who still live there, but also for those who are in refugee camps and those who left the country to seek a better future for their children.»

Christians and Muslims together

Last August, the church, which had been set on fire by the jihadists, was repaired and provided with a new altar: a restoration that has been carried out without completely removing the carbon black from the walls, so that even in this place of worship and prayer there remain visible traces of that stage of recent history. Some young Muslim friends also made an effort to carry out the final preparations together. Finally, on September 9, the feast of St. Elian, more than 350 people arrived by bus from Damascus, Nabek, Homs, Sadad and Maskane, as well as many Syrian Catholic priests from all over the country.

The re-consecration ceremony, presided over by Youhanna Jihad Battah, Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Damascus, was attended by Mor Timotheos Matta al Khoury, Syrian Orthodox Archbishop of Homs, as a special guest. The two bishops – Father Jacques tells us – anointed the reconstructed crypt and the restored church with oil. Thus, the consecration ceremony became «a formidable occasion to experience communion between the two sister Churches,» which in the past had experienced periods of conflict over the ownership of the convent for 200 years. An issue that had divided the two communities, despite the fact that sometimes members of the two parishes belonged to the same families.

Prayers for Christians who are no longer with us

«The most touching moment – shares Father Jacques – was when the relics of Mar Elian arrived at the doors of the monastery, and from there a Christian and a Muslim carried them and placed them in front of the altar. Everyone rejoiced at the presence of the saint». In the crypt, the bishops anointed the restored tomb of Mar Elian with oil. Many Muslim friends of the convent were also present at the Eucharistic liturgy, as a sign of fraternal closeness. «After the long Way of the Cross of the Syrian people – the presbyter commented – it was not easy to imagine being able to experience the joy of such an encounter. There is definitely a strength that surpasses our human limits». After the Mass, a philosophy professor, representing the Islamic community of Qaryatayn, also gave a speech, reciting verses from the Bible and the Koran, while asking the Christians of the village to return to their homes and fields, which had dried up.

«We also pray – Father Jacques recalls – for all the Christians who used to fill these churches with their prayers and songs, giving glory to God. We implore the Lord, that these churches may come back to life, filled with the prayers of Christians who love the Lord.» This Christian story of rebirth is a great example of hope and strength for a Christian community suffering greatly for their faith.