Dayro d'Mor 'Azozoyel

Dayro d'Mor 'Azozoyel

The Monastery of Mor ʿAzozoyel near the village of  Qalaʿat al-Marra, is a rock-cut monastery north of the Dayr al-Zaʿfaran monastery. It is situated between the Dayro d'Yoldath Aloho d'Notfo and Dayro d'Mor Ya'koub Monasteries. The monastery is named after Mor ʿAzozoyel, a saint from Samosata who was martyred in the 4th century.

The first historical mention of the monastery dates to 1165. According to records, the monastery's population of priests fluctuated, with twelve in 1472 and fourteen in 1567. During some periods, these rock-cut monasteries had more priests than the larger Dayr al-Zaʿfaran Monastery.

The monastery was active through the centuries. Bishop Rizkallah resided here in 1601. The monastery's expenses were covered by the village of Mansuriyya. One of its bishops was educated there, and priests continued to live in the monastery until the end of the 18th century. At one point, the monastery was inhabited by monks Yusuf al-Gurji and Pilate of Mansuriyya. Although the monastery is now abandoned and in ruins, its remnants are still visible.