The Church of Our Lady of Assumption Ain Ebel- South Lebanon

Bonjour de Ainebel,Kifkon ya shabeeb!!

The Church of Our Lady of Assumption
  Ain Ebel- South Lebanon

1- History and Features
In Lebanon shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary are hundreds. Several reasons are behind this exceptional devotion to the Mother of God (Theotokos), since the first steps of the Christian religion in Phoenicia (Lebanon).

 Located on the same line of faith, the Maronite Church has always remained faithful to this tradition, especially as Marie, daughter of the region, is a symbol of the Universal Church, people of God. By Her holiness, She has dethroned the female goddesses of Eastern religions pagan and replaced them in people’s hearts and Traditions.

Ain Ebel’s Christian Maronites and Greek Catholics residents are no exception to this religious path, because they belonged to the chalcédonian tradition (official Catholic and Orthodox) known by its special devotion to the Virgin Mary contrary to the Nestorian tradition . Before the 17 the century and the Ottoman Empire they have been returned in southern Lebanon district Bilad Bechara (Country of the Annunciation, nickname given to this region), coming from Cedar Mountain. Devoting their first chapel at Our Lady of the Assumption, they wanted, without doubt, express their dual commitment to religious and national traditions. The chapel patriarchal headquarters in the holy valley (Quadisha) dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption still bears the same name. Hailing the Mountain cedar, known by its strong Christian roots, it is therefore not surprising to see the first emigrants to ainEbel keep the same surname for their sanctuary.

The first Shrine

It was built around the beginning of the 17th century on the hilltop overlooking the spring of the village. It was served by his first parish priest Father Youssef Abdel-Massih Elias Tawil. The small parish was privileged and proud that even his priest was a cleric educated at the famous Maronite College of Rome founded in 1584.feeling which has never been departed without justification. Indeed it aroses for the modest parish requirement of moral and spiritual, cultural and social factors which have fructified with time in many vocations including priests and even bishops and a cardinal Patriarch.

Having an area that does not exceed the 96 m2, the former sanctuary has served as a parish church, for nearly three centuries, for a community made up of dozens of farmers families. It was not until the 19th century circles that the number amounts to a thousand: They will be part of the diocese of Tyre (famous Roman metropolis and former Phoenician city) from 1907:

Plan of new sanctuary

Meanwhile, in 1866, the Archbishop of Saida Mgr Boutros Boustani, religious and social reformer, known by his national positions for Social Justice, addressing power face to Turkey, made his tour and arrived to Ain Ebel parish, 6 years after the massacres of 1860. Christians need to disengage from the state of despair in which the war has thrown them. The archbishop has not failed then to encourage his flock with promises of sunny days , cooperating on the field with missionaries Lebanese and  Jesuit congregations and with  the San Hearts women congregation ,to launch the construction of the first schools and places of worship in the region .

In such a context Ain Ebel was endowed with its first school and health centers. At the same time the new sanctuary began to emerge, spacious, modern and strong. The construction is headed by master masons and architects Lebanese and Italian. The parishioners are enthusiastic and are working their best, offering personal efforts and finance, also relying on donations from emigrants who took the path to Argentina, Palestine and Egypt-They also relied on aids undertaken by missionaries . In the various stages of construction, the inhabitants have shown a remarkable generosity: Everybody get together and volunteer work, men, women, adults and youth, assuming all the tasks related to construction.

Project’s  Steps

Between 1866 and 1917 nearly the project goes through several steps .After over 60 years the building was not yet complete. Several obstacles opposed, some coming from the Ottoman State for political and religious reasons -in fact the Turkish authorities have ordered a halt to construction during nearly 15 years, on the pretext that the people of Ain-ebel built a military fortress. Other obstacles were fuelled by divisions generated by the proselytism and new Anglophone culture advocating Protestantism at the expense of other local Christian communities.

Phase pre-final

written reports by fathers missionaries recount until the visit of the first archbishop of the diocese in 1907, Bishop choucrallah,related that the sanctuary was still without tiling, with a roof without bricks, or bell tower. This work will be carried out between 1907 and about 1920.

Unfortunately each phase was marked by tragedies and obstacles from external conditions to impede the project. So in 1920, a new tragedy comes knocking-Ain Ebel causing a partial destruction of the shrine and a great loss of human life. One hundred people the majority of whom are women and children have been  massacred by gangs hostile, in the meantime, the project of Greater Lebanon was rising ,in which Christians were the most enthusiastic supporters. That is why a  martyrium should be added to the building in 1921; Moreover, the sanctuary will be repeatedly targeted by shells during the following years. Not only partially destroyed and burned in 1920, but also in the war years the Lebanese village was caught between the dual Israeli and Palestinian fire, not counting the damage caused by various local militias (1972-2000). Until recently during the war exploded on 12 July 2006  between Israel and Hezbollah supported by Iran, the sanctuary has suffered serious damage as can be seen on photos taken at this occasion.

2-Restorations in the last 40 years

in 1966 to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the sanctuary, Archbishop Mgr Joseph Khoury decided, with the committee parish (Wakf), to launch new restoration work inside as outside the church. This is to meet the growing needs of the parish constantly increasing. 

a-So it was created a Tribune in the posterior part of the church-nef to ensure a wider space for the choir and the faithful .

b-At the same time the stairs to the roof via the church-nef has been arranged so as to ensure easy access. 

c-The surface of the walls and decorations, damaged by humidity and time have been cleaned and retyped with cement. this transaction is yet regret for the loss of some old decorations very popular in their time, and which is still experiencing nostalgia. 

d-Development of the main square adjacent to the building, construction of a presbytery of 3 storeys to ensure housing for priests of the parish-construction of a room for the holidays; offices for meetings of committees and Pastoral Catholic  movements. 

e-Restoration and displacement of martyrium, housing the bodies of martyrs of 1920 and subsequently those of the Lebanese war 1975-2006. 

f-Creating the space (a kind of  lawn)  near the shrine to erect a Memorial of Lebanese San Charbel, all work done over the past sixty years until 2000.

3- Recent Restoration 

Following the withdrawal of Israeli occupation in 2000, new needs arose: a general restoration is needed after decades under the shadow of the black days of the war, which seem  not reaching a conclusion. In three years (2002-2005) the project was implemented, thanks to the contributions of migrants in the Arab and Western countries. Restoration costing nearly $ 200,000 consisted of the following: 

a-scratch coating of cement to clean the stone walls and columns. Such an operation has led to update an architectural new semi-gothic style, highlighting a colonnade and vaults that invite the eye to the admiration and spirit to rise to the Sublime glorifying the true Creator .. 

b Restoration General tiling and carpentry seats… 

c Renewal of electrical installation, audio and sound. 

d-Restoration of the roof brick. Note that this operation was just redone after a new bombing in rockets and shells during July and August 2006. The cease fire putting end to   the e hostilities between the belligerents, the day before Feast of the Assumption (August 14) was seen by the inhabitants of Ain Ebel-as a miraculous sign. 

4- Architectural and artistic Features

a-the sanctuary is composed of 3 halls, 3 altars overcome arcades and beautiful vaults, 2 rows of 4 columns each with a diameter of 1.93 m, 

It is equipped with a large bell. 

b-dimensions: length, 28.65 m; width: 14.50 m; Height: 11.45 m 

c-In addition, the sanctuary is equipped with 3 major portals, 11 windows, 12 rosaries or cavities circular embedded in the walls., several other holes in the walls of the main vault to produce sound effects (acoustic). 

. d-A  large marble altar designed and executed by artists and sculptors of Lebanon. it was installed in 1939, replacing an old wooden altar. 

e-3 large canvases adorning each one of the altars 3: 

At the centre a painting reproducing a work of the Spanish Sevillian Bartholomew Murillo other copies of which adorn various shrines in Europe and in America under the title "The Virgin and the  Child" conducted in 1664. 

- Above the altar to the right, a painting of smaller dimension is dedicated to San  Joseph. It is a classic style of the Italian Renaissance, signed by the painter Nimr Daher Hadad and dated 1933, 

- Above the altar to the left, a painting with the same size as that of the right, represents Saint Maron, patron of the Maronite community. It is signed by the painter Lebanese Maroun Daw is a local style less refined than the previous canvas. 

f-a former sacristy, a presbytery of 3 storeys, as mentioned above, 2 spaces used space and lawn, a martyrium, a memorial of St Charbel, a monument contained the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes with water jets. 

g-It is very important to remember that the engineers who conceived the plan of the sanctuary had planned two small altars located in the middle of each of the two side halls, left and right, the first is dedicated to San Georges and the second to San Jean Maron, the first Patriarch of the Maronite Church (circa 687). The work was not completed until days for various reasons. It is desirable that these two works would be realized  in the few next years 

h-one of  most interesting details of the sanctuary to be mentioned   is perhaps the bas-relief incorporated into the western wall above the large portal or entry of women: This is a great slab of high 1 20 cm on which are engraved three javelins cross, the emblem of Emperor Constantine 1st: This Archaeological article was found among the ruins of Doueir site or that of Chalaboun located 2 km from the village: According to research by archaeologist and French philosopher Ernest Renan (1861) it is a slab covering the tomb of one of the Ghassanid princes Arab Christians between 4e and 6th centuries: the emblem means  Pax Christi = Peace of Christ, which confirms the plur cultural  identity of the region.

Conclusion 

Named a site of pilgrimage on the occasion of the jubilee of the second millennium, the shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption of Ain Ebel-continues to attract pilgrims and tourists, especially on 14 -15  of  August each year. The procession which takes place as part of ceremonies and religious festival held to this effect is the culmination of the year. It is time  to drink  aboard the sources of faith and Christian traditions, at this Holy Southern Lebanese Land , where Jesus, Mary and the disciples are often first come, according to the Gospel. 

This historical reality that the world, and especially the Lebanese tend to forget was strongly reminded to  our memory by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Lebanon in 1997, when he said: Lebanon is a holy land , land of Saints and holiness. The Lebanese contemporaries of Jesus were among the first witnesses followers of the Good News. 

In perpetuating these traditions and memories Christians in a region abandoned on the borders of southern Lebanon, marked by high emigration as the various land in the Middle East which is emptying more and more of its  former inhabitants, descendants of the first witnesses of the Good News, the Ain Ebel’s parish especially wants to perpetuate a historical presence and a testimony of Mary: Living Jesus with Mary on a ground they have visited one day during their life on earth, not far from a native land where the girl of Nazareth had received the message and where  the Redeemer was born, lived, was crucified and rose .

Joseph Khoreich