Bonjour de Ainebel,Kifkon ya shabeeb!!
The
The Church
of Our Lady
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 inPhoenicia (Lebanon
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
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
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 southernLebanon
district Bilad Bechara (Country of the Annunciation, nickname given to this
region), coming from Cedar
Mountain
The first Shrine
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
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 toArgentina , Palestine and Egypt
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 theOttoman State
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 betweenIsrael and Hezbollah supported by Iran
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
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
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
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
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
- 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
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
