Saint George Monastery and Christian Heritage
Visit the Monastery of Saint George in the mountains west of Homs, one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, where the Aramaic-speaking Christian community has maintained continuous worship in a spectacular mountain setting since the 6th century.
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Monastery Approach
Approach the Monastery of Saint George through the mountain landscape of the Homs governorate, the ancient Christian monastic site visible in its mountain setting that has attracted pilgrims since the Byzantine period.
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Ancient Church
Enter the ancient church of the monastery where Byzantine-era mosaics, icons, and the accumulated centuries of Christian devotion create a sacred atmosphere maintained continuously since the 6th century CE.
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Monastery Life
Observe the monastic life of the Greek Orthodox community at Mar Jurjus, the monks maintaining the liturgical tradition of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in daily prayers, the bells marking the canonical hours in the mountain monastery.
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Christian Community
Meet the Christian villagers of the surrounding area who have maintained their faith in the mountains west of Homs for over 1,500 years, the Aramaic-related language of some communities a living link to the Christian origins of this region.
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Crac View
Enjoy the view from the monastery area toward the Crac des Chevaliers visible on its hilltop some distance away, the two great monuments of the region — Christian monastic and military — in visible proximity across the Syrian landscape.
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Mountain Villages
Drive through the mountain villages of the Homs governorate where the traditional stone houses, terraced fields, and ancient churches of the Alawite and Christian communities create a mountain landscape little changed from previous centuries.