Dayro d'Mor Youhannon d'kfone

Dayro d'Mor Youhannon d'kfone

The Monastery of Mor Yuhannon of Kfone, also known as Dayrō d-Kfoneh, is a Syriac Orthodox monastery that is now abandoned and in partial ruins. According to the biography of its patron saint, Mor Yuhannon of Kfone, the monastery was founded sometime between the end of the 6th and the middle of the 7th century.

The church of the monastery is an architectural highlight. Its apse is adorned with pillars and niches that are stylistically similar to those found in the Church of Yoldath Aloho at Hah and the main church of the East Syrian monastery of Mar Abraham on Mount Izlo. This unique decoration serves as an important piece of evidence that corroborates the founding date mentioned in the saint's vita. While much of the monastery is in disrepair, remnants of its colonnades with capitals featuring uncut acanthus leaves still remain. Notably, a small, well-built chapel, which was not documented by Wiessner in his initial survey, has since been discovered. The main entrance to the church today is through a doorway that was opened in its apse.

Historically, the monastery was described as a large and beautiful structure. Over time, it fell into disrepair and was eventually occupied by Muslims. Its current state reflects this history of decline and abandonment.

Status: Abandoned in ruins