Mar Abda

Mar Abda, a servant of the Lord. That’s the meaning of “Abda,” the name of this hilltop monastery. Located near the Dog River, just a short drive north of Beirut, Mar Abda is more than just a peaceful retreat. It’s a place steeped in history, echoing with tales of hermits, Phoenician temples, and Mameluke invaders. The monastery belongs to the Maronite Order of Saint Anthony. It’s named after several religious figures, most notably a disciple of Saint Simon the Stylite. This particular Mar Abda lived in a cave on this very hill, El-Mushammar, during the 5th or 6th century. Imagine him here, near the site of an ancient Phoenician temple. Women would come to this temple to present their firstborn sons to Baal. Mar Abda converted many to Christianity, and soon, families and women seeking children flocked to him. Even today, people journey from far and wide to make vows to the saint, hoping for his intercession. El-Mushammar itself holds secrets from prehistoric times. Archaeological digs have revealed ancient stones and rock-hewn basements. There’s even evidence of an underground passage from the Phoenician temple leading down to the river, a passage now running beneath Mar Abda. The cave where Saint Abda lived became a place of pilgrimage. A church built near the cave was destroyed by earthquakes. Another church met its end in 1305, destroyed by the Mamelukes during their brutal invasion of Lebanon. They cut down trees, slaughtered livestock, and left a trail of destruction. The current church and an adjacent house were constructed in 1685. In 1716, the monastery was formally attached to the Anthonine Order, their third religious house in Lebanon. The monks cultivated the land, taught religion, and welcomed pilgrims. A spacious courtyard, basements, and arcades were added over time. The monastery underwent renovations between 1810 and 1853, and again in 1966 and 2011. Mar Abda continues to be a sanctuary, especially for women of all faiths seeking the saint’s blessing for children. It offers a tranquil escape for meditation and prayer, a place where the whispers of history blend with the serenity of the present.