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The terrain, which served to the construction of the
convent, was the property of the druze prince Youssef Mrad (governor of the
Metn region at the time; Lebanon was under ottoman control) who offered it
to Father Simon Aride as a gesture of the intention to expand the relations
Druzes-Maronites (note that one of the factors which allowed the propagation
of Maronite Christianity was irrevocably the Druzes-Maronites relations
especially under Fakhredinne II). Thus, the property of the land of Deir El
Kalaa was transferred to the Antonin Maronite Order without any abhorrence
or obligations or conditions.
Click to enlarge 
The construction of the convent St John El Kalaa started in 1757, ordered by Abbot Simon Aride, superior general of the AMO (Antonin Maronite Order) from 1732-42, 1745-48 and 1755-63; and with the attention of Father Abraham Aoun who traveled to Europe and sent the funds he collected to the Antonin monks in order to build the convent. They built at first the Great Tomb (which became the museum of Deir El Kalaa) expanded on a large surface from the north front of the church to the tombs of the monks. They edified, on top of the tomb, rooms and a large hallway. All was constructed in vault (characteristic of the buildings of the Maronite order), and built on the temple located at same spot. Click to enlarge 
The World War (1914-1918) had a cruel effect on Lebanon. The Christian community suffered a lot because of the Turks who devastated the country and voluntarily aimed at making the population starve. The ottoman army took possession of several Antonins convents which occupied hills considered to be strategic locations. The convent of St John El Kalaa of Beit Mery, located on a hill, was converted to "Fort Rached", military base under the command of a certain lieutenant Rached of the ottoman army and under direct control of Jamal Bacha (one of the three chiefs of state of the ottoman empire; he was entrusted the conquest of the Suez canal from the region of Arabia). During the Lebanese civil war from 1975 to 1990, projectiles that were doubtlessly aimed to the convent killed at Deir El Kalaa Father Elie. Moreover, the cases of Father Albert Cherfane and Father Sleimane Abi Khalil are more mysterious. When on the 13th of October 1990, the Syrian army launched its great terrestrial and aerial offensive against the Lebanese army, Syrians suffered big losses in their ranks while conquering the hill of Deir El Kalaa. Their rage was exercised on the prisoners, and hundreds of corpses atrociously mangled were found. However, on the next day, 14th of October, when all battles ceased, the two Antonin Fathers in question were seen safe and sound by neighbors of the monastery. Then, they disappeared taken away by the Syrians to an unknown destination and were never seen again, despite the researches directed on all levels. All details lead to believe that their odyssey was heaven and we are tempted to consider them martyrs. The Syrian troops definitively left the hill of Deir El Kalaa on March 2002. The Antonin Maronite Order has engaged the reconstruction of the convent. |
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Page submitted by michel - [Rating : 10.00 (1 votes) | Rate it!]
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