Syriac Monasteries in Tur-'Abdin

Syriac Monasteries in Tur-'Abdin

The Syriac monasteries in this list were mentioned in various sources but all of them are in ruin. They were abandoned for various reasons throughout the history of the Syriac Orthodox church but unfortunately there isn't much information about them.

• Dayro d'Mor Aho - Kafro Eloyto 

• Dayro d'Mor Aho (The Cross) - Beth El

• Dayro d'Mor Aho - 'Urnas 

• Dayro d'Mort Barbara - Bir Ardiate

• Dayro d'Mor Barsaumo - Kafro Eloyto 

• Dayro d'Mor Barsaumo - Beth Sebrino (Basbrina)

• Dera Būbe - Beth Sqole

• Dayro d’Mor Benjamin - Dugan

• Dayro d'Mor Demit - Zaz

• Dayro d’Mor Dodo - Beth Sebrina

• Dayro d’Mor Elyo (the Prophet Elias) - Giftlik

• Dayro d’Mor Elyo - Kafar Ze

• Dayro d’Mor Elyo - Hbob

• Dayro d’Hawro (Elabiad) - Dara

• Dayro d’Hamara - Mardin

• Dayro d’Harzam - Harzam

• Dayro d'Mor Holo - Salah 

• Dayro d’Kaphana - Zaz

• Dayro d’Kafar Shama - Midyat

• Dayro d'Mort Maryam Magdloyto - Hah 

• Dayro d'Mor Mikhael - Mardin 

• Dayro d’Moshok 

• Dayro d’Mor Quriaqus - Mardin

• Dayro d'Mor Stefanos - Benabil

• Dayro d'Mor Shemʿun/ Dayro d-Il 

• Dayro d'Mor Sharbil

• Dayro d’Mor Sharbil - Salah

• Dayro d’Mort Shmuni - Mardin

• Dayro d’Mor Theodotus - Kuluk

• Dayro d’Mor Tuma (Thomas) - Salah

• Dayro d'Youldath Aloho - Beth Sabrino (Basebrina)

• Dayro d'Youldath Aloho - Cermik

• Dayro d'Mor Youhannon - Hah

• Dayro d'Mor Zbino - Habsanes 

• Dayro d’Zuqa - Mardin

• Qidr (or Qidar) Monastery: near Rish 'Ayno, was first mentioned by historians in the sixth century. One of its graduates is the chronicler-priest Thomas, in 636. Its monks later moved to the Pillar Monastery. 

• Dayro d'Mor Sharbil: This monastery was in Kafr Shami in Tur 'Abdin and it was first mentioned in history in 1210. It might have remained active until the end of the sixteenth century. It produced one Maphryono.

• St. John's Monastery in Beth Zaghba,

• John Orti Monastery: John the ascetic built this monastery in 390 near Diyarbakir. It produced three bishops, the most famous of whom is John of Ephesus, the historian (d. 587). We know nothing about it after 600. 

• Qanqart Monastery: built in the name of the prophet Elijah near Qanqart, a journey of an hour and a half from Diyarbakir, was first mentioned in history in 1050. It was twice renovated, once by Patriarch Michael the Great in 1173 and again in 1730 by Patriarch Ignatius Shukr Allah. It was abandoned at the start of the nineteenth century and on its site today stands a village called Qara Kelisa ("The Black Church," because of the black stones of the area). Its remains are still visible. 

• Gugel Monastery: believed to be in Tur 'Abdin, was also called Beth Gugi Monastery. It remained active until the beginning of the sixth century, but then was deserted. 

• Monastery of the Cross: a small monastery near the village of Dafna on the way to Hisn Kifa, now called Makhr or Wadi in Kurdish. Its church, built in 770, was destroyed in World War I and the last of its monks was killed. Three bishops graduated from it.

• Edessene monastery: In Amid