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Coordinates: 36°08′16″N 43°24′23″E / 36.137778°N 43.406389°E / 36.137778; 43.406389
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{{short description|Syriac Catholic Monastery in Iraq}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox monastery
{{Infobox monastery
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| image = مورم.jpg
| image = مورم.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Entrance of the monastery
| caption = Entrance of the monastery (1999)
| full =
| full =
| other_names =
| other_names =
| order = [[Syriac Catholic Church]]
| order = [[Syriac Catholic Church]] (1790–98; from 1839)<br />[[Syriac Orthodox Church]] (until 1790; 1798–1819)<br /> [[Church of the East]] (until 14th century)
| established = 4th century
| established = 4th century
| founder = Syrian Orthodox Monk's
| founder = [[Sinharib]]
| nodislink =
| nodislink =
| mother =
| mother =
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| coord = {{coord|36.137778|43.406389|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| coord = {{coord|36.137778|43.406389|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| oscoor =
| oscoor =
| remains = Destroyed
| remains =
| public_access =
| public_access =
| other_info =
| other_info =
}}
}}


'''Monastery of the Martyrs Mar Behnam and Marth Sarah''' ({{lang-syr|ܕܝܪܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܒܗܢܡ ܘܡܪܬ ܣܪܐ}}, {{lang-ar|دير مار بهنام}}, ''Mar Behnam Monastery''), was a [[Syriac Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]] monastery in northern [[Iraq]] in the village [[Khidr Ilyas]] close to the town of [[Bakhdida|Beth Khdeda]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Christopher|title=Another Treasure Lost in Iraq: The Story of Mar Behnam Monastery|url=http://hyperallergic.com/216393/another-treasure-lost-in-iraq-the-story-of-mar-behnam-monastery/|accessdate=24 October 2016|work=[[Hyperallergic]]|date=23 June 2015}}</ref> It was destroyed on March 19, 2015 by [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3002530/Another-blow-Christianity-civilisation-ISIS-destroy-4th-Century-Mar-Benham-monastery-Iraq.html|title=ISIS destroy 4th Century Christian monastery in Iraq|publisher=}}</ref>
'''Monastery of the Martyrs Mar Behnam and Marth Sarah''' ({{langx|syr|ܕܝܪܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܒܗܢܡ ܘܡܪܬ ܣܪܐ}}, {{langx|ar|دير مار بهنام}}, ''Mar Behnam Monastery''), is a [[Syriac Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]] monastery in northern [[Iraq]] in the village [[Khidr Ilyas]] close to the town of [[Bakhdida|Beth Khdeda]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Christopher|title=Another Treasure Lost in Iraq: The Story of Mar Behnam Monastery|url=http://hyperallergic.com/216393/another-treasure-lost-in-iraq-the-story-of-mar-behnam-monastery/|access-date=24 October 2016|work=[[Hyperallergic]]|date=23 June 2015}}</ref> The tomb of Mar Benham was heavily damaged on March 19, 2015, by the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]], and the exterior murals were desecrated in all of the monastery's buildings.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} Repair work restoring the monastery and the tomb of Mar Behnam to its pre-ISIS condition was completed by early December 2018.<ref name="fraternite-en-irak.org">{{Cite web|url=http://fraternite-en-irak.org/travaux-restauration-mar-behnam-bientot-termines/|title = Les travaux à Mar Behnam bientôt terminés ! &#124; Fraternité en Irak|date = December 7, 2018}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The monastery was built in the 4th century by a.king named [[Sennacherib II|Senchareb]] as a penance for killing his son [[Mar Behnam|Behnam]] and daughter Sarah after they converted to Christianity.<ref name=Bakhdida>[http://www.bakhdida.net/Namrood/BehnamandSara.htm بهنام وسارة, الصرح والتاريخ], Bakhdida.com {{ar icon}}</ref>
The monastery was according to legend built in the 4th century by a king named [[Sennacherib II|Senchareb]] as penance for martyring his son [[Mar Behnam]] and daughter Sarah after they converted to Christianity.<ref name=Bakhdida>[http://www.bakhdida.net/Namrood/BehnamandSara.htm بهنام وسارة, الصرح والتاريخ], Bakhdida.com {{in lang|ar}}</ref>


The monastery, after its establishment continued its work and contributed greatly to the Christian world under the care of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]]. Sculptures in the church show that renovations were done in 1164 and between 1250-1261. Records show that the monastery suffered greatly during the period from 1743-1790 which was due to attacks carried out by [[Nader Shah]], the then-[[muslim]] ruler of [[Persia]], against the Christians in the region.<ref>http://www.aina.org/aol/syriac.htm#Bihnam {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227122045/http://www.aina.org/aol/syriac.htm |date=December 27, 2015 }}</ref>
After its establishment, the monastery was part of the [[Church of the East]] up until the 14th century as evidenced by [[Old Turkic alphabet|Mongolic inscriptions]] left by Mongolian Christian pilgrims in the 1200s, and contributed greatly to the Christian world under the care of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]]. Inscriptions on sculptures in the church show that renovations were made to the monastery in 1164 and between 1250 and 1261. Records show that the monastery suffered greatly during the period from 1743 to 1790 due to attacks carried out by [[Nader Shah]] and later [[Persia]]n Muslim rulers against the Christians in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aina.org/aol/syriac.htm#Bihnam |title= Assyrian Monasteries|website=www.aina.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227122045/http://www.aina.org/aol/syriac.htm |archive-date=December 27, 2015}}</ref>


The monks of the monastery established contact with [[Catholic Church|Rome]] in the 18th century, which led to the gradual conversion of the inhabitants of [[Bakhdida|Beth Khdeda]] to the [[Syriac Catholic Church]].<ref name=copt/>
The monks of the monastery established contact with the [[Catholic Church]] in Rome in the late 18th century seeking protection against Nader Khan, which led to the gradual conversion of the inhabitants of [[Bakhdida]] to the [[Syriac Catholic Church]].<ref name=copt/>


In 1790 the monastery was taken over by the Catholic Church and was managed for eight years until the Syriac Orthodox church took it back. For some unknown reason, the monks abandoned the monastery in 1819. The monastery changed hands again to the Syriac Catholic Church in 1839, which has cared for it to the present time.
In 1790 the monastery was taken over by the Catholic Church and was managed for eight years until the Syriac Orthodox church retook it. For unknown reasons, the monks abandoned the monastery in 1819—likely due to the loss of their flock in that region. The Syriac Catholic Church resumed possession of the monastery, and repopulated it in 1839; it has continued in this state to the present time with the exception of a three-year abandonment as a result of the [[2014 Northern Iraq offensive (disambiguation)|2014 ISIS invasions]]<!--intentional link to DAB page-->.


The monastery belonged to the [[Church of the East]] for at least ten centuries, which is attested to by rare [[Old Turkic alphabet|Turkic]] inscriptions from the 13th century left by [[Mongols|Mongol]] pilgrims. Before turning to the hand of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]], the whole region converted to [[Monophysitism]] and the monastery became the residence as well as the resting place of a number of [[List of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch|Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs]].<ref name="copt">[http://www.coptcatholic.net/section.php?hash=aWQ9MjYyNA%3D%3D دير مار بهنام الشهيد في مدينة الموصل بالعراق] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320120106/http://www.coptcatholic.net/section.php?hash=aWQ9MjYyNA%3D%3D |date=March 20, 2012 }}, CopticCatholic.com {{ar icon}}</ref>
The monastery is the former residence and present resting place of a number of [[List of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch|Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs]].<ref name="copt">[http://www.coptcatholic.net/section.php?hash=aWQ9MjYyNA%3D%3D دير مار بهنام الشهيد في مدينة الموصل بالعراق] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320120106/http://www.coptcatholic.net/section.php?hash=aWQ9MjYyNA%3D%3D |date=March 20, 2012 }}, CopticCatholic.com {{in lang|ar}}</ref>


== Current status ==
== Current status ==
[[File:Monastery of Mar Behnam.jpg|alt=Syriac Catholic Monastery of Mar Behnam, May 1909, taken by Gertrude Bell|thumb|left|Syriac Catholic Monastery of Mar Behnam, May 1909, taken by Gertrude Bell]]
[[File:Monastery of Mar Behnam.jpg|alt=Syriac Catholic Monastery of Mar Behnam, May 1909, taken by Gertrude Bell|thumb|left|Syriac Catholic Monastery of Mar Behnam, May 1909, taken by [[Gertrude Bell]]]]


The monastery was renovated in 1986, and was visited by thousands of Christians and Muslims yearly until ISIS took control of the area.<ref name=Bakhdida/>
The monastery was renovated in 1986, and was visited by thousands of Christians and Muslims yearly until [[ISIS]] took control of the area.<ref name=Bakhdida/>

⚫
During the [[Northern Iraq offensive (June 2014)|2014 Northern Iraq offensive]], [[Jihadism|jihadist]] troops of [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] took control of the monastery.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/world-news/detail/articolo/34673/ | title=The new plight of Christians in Mosul | publisher=[[La Stampa]] | work=Vatican Insider | date=June 11, 2014 | access-date=June 24, 2014 | author=Girgio Bernadelli}}</ref> The troops removed [[Christian crosses|crosses]] from the monastery,<ref>{{cite news|author1=Vivian Salama|author2=Cara Anna|title=Outrage: Extremists take ancient statues, damage Iraqi site|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/world/article/Iraqi-forces-push-toward-Tikrit-in-battle-against-6118430.php|access-date=March 6, 2015|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|date=March 6, 2015}}</ref> threatened monks with execution and then expelled the monks with nothing but the clothes on their backs.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hawramy|first1=Fazel|title=Iraqi Christians in Mosul told by Isis to convert to Islam or be executed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/iraqi-christians-mosul-isis-convert-islam-or-be-executed|access-date=July 24, 2014|work=The Guardian|date=July 24, 2014}}</ref> On March 19, 2015, Islamic State released photos showing the blowing up of the historic tomb of [[Saint Behnam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/isis-blows-famed-4th-century-mar-behnam-catholic-monastery-iraq-1492703|title=Isis 'blows up famed 4th-century Mar Behnam Catholic monastery' in Iraq|first=Gianluca|last=Mezzofiore|date=March 19, 2015|publisher=}}</ref> After more than 2 years of occupation, the monastery and its surrounding area was liberated by [[Iraqi Security Forces]] on November 20, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://isis.liveuamap.com/en/2016/20-november-iraqi-security-forces-have-retaken-monastery|title=Iraqi security forces have retaken Monastery of the Martyrs Mar Behnam and Marth Sarah southeast Mosul - News from war on ISIS in English from Iraq, Syria - Deir ez-Zur operation, Raqqa operation - isis.liveuamap.com|website=News from war on ISIS in English from Iraq, Syria - Deir ez-Zur operation, Raqqa operation - isis.liveuamap.com}}</ref>
{{clearleft}} Repair work restoring the monastery and the tomb of Mar Behnam to its pre-ISIS condition was completed by early December 2018.<ref name="fraternite-en-irak.org"/>


⚫
During the [[Northern Iraq offensive (June 2014)|2014 Northern Iraq offensive]], [[Jihadism|jihadist]] troops of [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] took control of the monastery.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/world-news/detail/articolo/34673/ | title=The new plight of Christians in Mosul | publisher=[[La Stampa]] | work=Vatican Insider | date=June 11, 2014 | accessdate=June 24, 2014 | author=Girgio Bernadelli}}</ref> The troops removed [[Christian crosses|crosses]] from the monastery,<ref>{{cite news|author1=Vivian Salama|author2=Cara Anna|title=Outrage: Extremists take ancient statues, damage Iraqi site|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/world/article/Iraqi-forces-push-toward-Tikrit-in-battle-against-6118430.php|accessdate=March 6, 2015|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|date=March 6, 2015}}</ref> threatened monks with execution and then expelled the monks with nothing but the clothes on their backs.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hawramy|first1=Fazel|title=Iraqi Christians in Mosul told by Isis to convert to Islam or be executed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/iraqi-christians-mosul-isis-convert-islam-or-be-executed|accessdate=July 24, 2014|work=The Guardian|date=July 24, 2014}}</ref> On March 19, 2015 Islamic State released photos showing the blowing up of the historic tomb of [[Saint Behnam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/isis-blows-famed-4th-century-mar-behnam-catholic-monastery-iraq-1492703|title=Isis 'blows up famed 4th-century Mar Behnam Catholic monastery' in Iraq|first=Gianluca|last=Mezzofiore|date=March 19, 2015|publisher=}}</ref> After more than 2 years of occupation, the monastery and its surrounding area was liberated by [[Iraqi Security Forces]] on November 20, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://isis.liveuamap.com/en/2016/20-november-iraqi-security-forces-have-retaken-monastery|title=Iraqi security forces have retaken Monastery of the Martyrs Mar Behnam and Marth Sarah southeast Mosul - News from war on ISIS in English from Iraq, Syria - Deir ez-Zur operation, Raqqa operation - isis.liveuamap.com|website=News from war on ISIS in English from Iraq, Syria - Deir ez-Zur operation, Raqqa operation - isis.liveuamap.com}}</ref>
{{clearleft}}
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External link==
==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Commonscatinline}}



{{Nineveh Plains}}
{{Nineveh Plains}}
{{Syriac Catholic Church}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Christian monasteries established in the 4th century]]
[[Category:Syriac Catholic church buildings]]
[[Category:Syriac Catholic church buildings]]
[[Category:4th-century establishments]]
[[Category:2015 disestablishments in Iraq]]
[[Category:Assyrian communities in Iraq]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 2015]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures destroyed by ISIL]]
[[Category:Destruction of churches by Muslims]]
[[Category:Destroyed churches in Iraq]]


{{Christian-monastery-stub}}
{{Assyrian-stub}}
{{Iraq-church-stub}}
{{EasternCatholic-church-stub}}

Latest revision as of 02:52, 28 October 2024

Monastery of the Sahade Mar Behnam and Marth Sara
Entrance of the monastery (1999)
Mar Behnam Monastery is located in Iraq
Mar Behnam Monastery
Location within Iraq
Monastery information
OrderSyriac Catholic Church (1790–98; from 1839)
Syriac Orthodox Church (until 1790; 1798–1819)
Church of the East (until 14th century)
Established4th century
Dedicated toMar Behnam, Mart Sara
People
Founder(s)Sinharib
Site
Locationnear Beth Khdeda
Coordinates36°08′16″N 43°24′23″E / 36.137778°N 43.406389°E / 36.137778; 43.406389

Monastery of the Martyrs Mar Behnam and Marth Sarah (Syriac: ܕܝܪܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܒܗܢܡ ܘܡܪܬ ܣܪܐ, Arabic: دير مار بهنام, Mar Behnam Monastery), is a Syriac Catholic monastery in northern Iraq in the village Khidr Ilyas close to the town of Beth Khdeda.[1] The tomb of Mar Benham was heavily damaged on March 19, 2015, by the Islamic State, and the exterior murals were desecrated in all of the monastery's buildings.[citation needed] Repair work restoring the monastery and the tomb of Mar Behnam to its pre-ISIS condition was completed by early December 2018.[2]

History

[edit]

The monastery was according to legend built in the 4th century by a king named Senchareb as penance for martyring his son Mar Behnam and daughter Sarah after they converted to Christianity.[3]

After its establishment, the monastery was part of the Church of the East up until the 14th century as evidenced by Mongolic inscriptions left by Mongolian Christian pilgrims in the 1200s, and contributed greatly to the Christian world under the care of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Inscriptions on sculptures in the church show that renovations were made to the monastery in 1164 and between 1250 and 1261. Records show that the monastery suffered greatly during the period from 1743 to 1790 due to attacks carried out by Nader Shah and later Persian Muslim rulers against the Christians in the region.[4]

The monks of the monastery established contact with the Catholic Church in Rome in the late 18th century seeking protection against Nader Khan, which led to the gradual conversion of the inhabitants of Bakhdida to the Syriac Catholic Church.[5]

In 1790 the monastery was taken over by the Catholic Church and was managed for eight years until the Syriac Orthodox church retook it. For unknown reasons, the monks abandoned the monastery in 1819—likely due to the loss of their flock in that region. The Syriac Catholic Church resumed possession of the monastery, and repopulated it in 1839; it has continued in this state to the present time with the exception of a three-year abandonment as a result of the 2014 ISIS invasions.

The monastery is the former residence and present resting place of a number of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs.[5]

Current status

[edit]
Syriac Catholic Monastery of Mar Behnam, May 1909, taken by Gertrude Bell
Syriac Catholic Monastery of Mar Behnam, May 1909, taken by Gertrude Bell

The monastery was renovated in 1986, and was visited by thousands of Christians and Muslims yearly until ISIS took control of the area.[3]

During the 2014 Northern Iraq offensive, jihadist troops of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant took control of the monastery.[6] The troops removed crosses from the monastery,[7] threatened monks with execution and then expelled the monks with nothing but the clothes on their backs.[8] On March 19, 2015, Islamic State released photos showing the blowing up of the historic tomb of Saint Behnam.[9] After more than 2 years of occupation, the monastery and its surrounding area was liberated by Iraqi Security Forces on November 20, 2016.[10]

Repair work restoring the monastery and the tomb of Mar Behnam to its pre-ISIS condition was completed by early December 2018.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jones, Christopher (June 23, 2015). "Another Treasure Lost in Iraq: The Story of Mar Behnam Monastery". Hyperallergic. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Les travaux à Mar Behnam bientôt terminés ! | Fraternité en Irak". December 7, 2018.
  3. ^ a b بهنام وسارة, الصرح والتاريخ, Bakhdida.com (in Arabic)
  4. ^ "Assyrian Monasteries". www.aina.org. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015.
  5. ^ a b دير مار بهنام الشهيد في مدينة الموصل بالعراق Archived March 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, CopticCatholic.com (in Arabic)
  6. ^ Girgio Bernadelli (June 11, 2014). "The new plight of Christians in Mosul". Vatican Insider. La Stampa. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  7. ^ Vivian Salama; Cara Anna (March 6, 2015). "Outrage: Extremists take ancient statues, damage Iraqi site". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  8. ^ Hawramy, Fazel (July 24, 2014). "Iraqi Christians in Mosul told by Isis to convert to Islam or be executed". The Guardian. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  9. ^ Mezzofiore, Gianluca (March 19, 2015). "Isis 'blows up famed 4th-century Mar Behnam Catholic monastery' in Iraq".
  10. ^ "Iraqi security forces have retaken Monastery of the Martyrs Mar Behnam and Marth Sarah southeast Mosul - News from war on ISIS in English from Iraq, Syria - Deir ez-Zur operation, Raqqa operation - isis.liveuamap.com". News from war on ISIS in English from Iraq, Syria - Deir ez-Zur operation, Raqqa operation - isis.liveuamap.com.
[edit]

Media related to Mar Behnam Monastery at Wikimedia Commons


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