Dayro d'Mor Ya‘koub of Nisibin

Dayro d'Mor Ya‘koub of Nisibin

The Mor Yakup Monastery is a Syriac Orthodox institution located on Mount Izla in Beth Debe (Dibek), within the historic Tur Abdin region. It is named after Mor Yakoub, a prominent Church of the East saint also known as Saint Jacob of Nisibis. The monastery, which was rebuilt by and reoccupied by the Syriac Orthodox Church in 2013, is now functional.

Jacob of Nisibis, a native of Nisibis (modern Nusaybin), became bishop of the city in 309 AD. In 313 AD, he began the construction of the cathedral of Nisibis, a major religious and political center at the border of the Roman and Persian Empires. Archaeological excavations have uncovered the cathedral's ruins near the monastery's baptistery, which contains a Greek inscription indicating its construction in 571 AD. A chamber built in 1872 and buttresses added in the 8th century are also notable features. The church has served as the episcopacy center of Nisibin since the 4th century. A capsule-shaped crypt beneath the eastern square chamber contains a sarcophagus believed to belong to Mor Yakoub. The church's survival for over 1600 years is attributed to the respect shown to Mor Yakup by Muslims.

The eastern and southern facades of the church are adorned with Greek, Syriac, and Arabic inscriptions, as well as architectural decorations from various periods of Roman architecture. These inscriptions document the existence of different eras and civilizations that have occupied the site.

The Mor Ya'koub Church is on the UNESCO Tentative List, recognized for its history of hosting diverse civilizations since the 4th century. The shared cemeteries, shrines, madrasah, and school complexes demonstrate a history of interreligious coexistence and a shared culture, challenging simple narratives of religious division. 

Status: Functional