Syriac Monasteries in Iraq

 Syriac Monasteries in Iraq

The monasteries in this list were mentioned in various sources but all of them, except for two, 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. There was more monasteries in al-Mada’in (Ctesiphon), capital of the Persians but they were destroyed after the death of Gabriel of Sinjar, chief physician of the Persian king in 610. 

• Dayro d'Mor Daniel - Mosul

• Dayro d'Mor Mattai (St. Matthew Monastery) - Mosul

• Dayro 'dMor Youhanon Daylamaya - Mosul

• Dayro d'Mor Sergius - Balad

• Dayro d'Mor Shamu'il - Balad

• Dayro d'Mor Sergius - Ayn Jaj

• Dayro d'Nardos - Dohuk

• Dayro d'Mor Quriaqos - Bakhdida 

• Dayro d'Mor Zina - Qayyara

• Monastery of the Virgins - Baghdad 

• The Monastery of Aston (pillar) - Dohuk

• The Monastery of the Forty Martyrs - Bartella

• Monastery of Deir al-Ubaid - Takrit

• Monastery of Khanushya - Balad

• The Monastery of Kukhta - Mosul

• Dayro d'Mor Yuhannoun Nagoro - Bartella

• Dayro d'Mor Behnam: Also called the Pit Monastery, is situated about six hours' journey southeast of Mosul. It was built in the beginning of the fifth century. From it graduated one Maphryono and seven bishops. In 1839, it was usurped by a group which seceded and joined the Catholic church. It was deserted for some sixty years, but is now populated. 

• The Lower Mar Daniel Monastery: Was exclusively for nuns near the other monastery of Mar Daniel.

• The Monastery of ‘Ayn Qana: Was in the middle of Ba’arbaya area. It was built by Mor Ahudemmeh of Balad and was still populated in 829.

• Monastery of the Aniqe: Was situated outside the city of Baled. Historical chronicles document the site in connection with Patriarch Dionysius of Tell Mahre (818–845 AD) staying in this monastery during his journey from Baghdad to Tikrit in October 830 AD.

• The Monastery of Beth Asa: Located near Qoronta and was mentioned in the life story of Mor Ahudemeh. Its abbot was Yeshu’ ZKha

• The Monastery of Afmariyya (Abu Marya): Was located near Talla’far (Tell ‘Afro, north of Mosul).

• The Monastery of Takrit: Was mentioned in the life story of Mor Ahudemmeh of Balad.

• The Monastery of Ga’tani: The monastery was also known Palace of Sergius, was located north of Tikrit and opposite the village of Qoranta in a remote, rugged, and waterless desert site. It was founded by Mor Ahudemmeh of Balad. He built monasteries for nomadic Arab tribes, such as the Banu Taghlib, including a site known as the Monastery of 'Ain Qana, in addition to this monastery. This monastery is referred to by various names in historical accounts, including Jaltani, Ka'tani, and Ka'uthan, the latter of which appears to be the most accurate name and remains in use among local inhabitants. Today, the archaeological site of the monastery does not extend beyond a hill located above Khan al-Laqlaq opposite Baiji, known as Tell Ja'adi.

• The Monastery of Birqum (Bir Qawm): Was near Balad on the bank of the Tigris River. The foundation was identified as the monastery of origin for Daniel, who was consecrated as the maphrian of Tagrit and the East by the patriarch during a visit to the Eastern churches. Few Maphrians studied in it.

• The Monastery of Shirin: Was in al-Mada’in (Ctesiphon, south of Baghdad), built by the Christian Queen Shirin near the royal palace in 598. Shirin became a Syriac Orthodox adherent with the help of her doctor, Sergius of Sinjar

• The Monastery of the Hermits: Attributed to Rabban Shapur, was located in Aqula (Kufa) and belonged to the Syriac Orthodox Church. In 629 AD, Mor Marutha of Baled, the future Grand Metropolitan of Takrit, spent a period of time residing at this monastery. 

• The Monastery of the Virgin in Takrit It is also known as Beth Ibro.

• The Monastery of the Virgin: Built by the Syriac governor of Takrit, Ibrahim, son of Yeshu’, near the city in the seventh century.

• The Monastery of ‘Alouk: Was an ancient Syriac monastery established in Takrit. Historical accounts in the Ecclesiastical History mention the site incidentally in connection with Mor Sergius (872-883), who served as Maphrian of Tikrit following a four-year vacancy after the deaths of Basil and Melchizedek. Mor Sergius, a monk from the Monastery of Alouk renowned for his simple life and virtuous character, was consecrated Maphrian in 872 AD at the Church of Mor Toma of the Tikritites in Raqqa. The physical site of the Monastery of Alouk is associated with the agricultural area of Al-Aali, located on the eastern side of the Tigris River across from Tikrit. The land contains ancient archaeological mounds dating back to the pre-Islamic era. While some local explanations attribute the name "Al-Aali" to the elevated nature of the land above flood levels, the name is also understood to be a direct linguistic derivative of the extinct Syriac monastery Deir Alouk.

• Monastery in Sinjar: Built by Saint Shim’un (Simon) d’Zaite, metropolitan of Harran (734). It was mentioned in his life story.

• The Monastery of Beznitho: Was located in the area of Nineveh, probably on the site where the village of Bahzani now stands. It was the ancient monastery in which the tyrant Barsoum of Nisibin killed ninety priest-monks in 480.

• The Monastery of Mor Gurgeis (the martyr): Located in Bartelli and was still populated in 1701.

• A monastery near Jazirat Ibn ‘Umar, mentioned in the History of Maphryones in 1172.

• The Monastery of Beth ‘Urbo (the Raven): Was located near Takrit. Yuhanna, metropolitan of the Monastery of Dayro d'Mor Mattai, stayed in it in 685. 

• Monastery of Besqin: Was located near the village of Alqosh

• Covenent of Mor Quriaqus: It was a Convent of Nuns in Bakhdida (Qaraqosh) and was a 7th-century institution that served as a spiritual center within the city limits of Bakhdida. As recorded by the great scholar Gregorius Bar 'Ebroyo in his Syriac Chronography in 1276 AD, this convent was a small house for nuns that functioned as an annex to the nearby Monastery of Mar Yohanna al-Daylami. Because the monks' monastery was located in more isolated surroundings, the local population referred to it as the "Outer Monastery" (Deir Baraya) to distinguish it from the nuns' convent, which was nestled safely inside the city walls. Geographically, the convent was situated just south of what is known today as the Church of Mor Yohanna the Baptist. Its location within the city was a deliberate security measure; during the turbulent medieval era, characterized by frequent invasions and banditry, conenents for nuns were built amidst the populace and enclosed by protective walls for safety. This stood in contrast to the monasteries for men, which often lacked such fortifications. The community consisted of virgin nuns who traditionally wore white habits. This distinctive attire gave rise to the name "White Monastery," a title that has remained in common usage among the people of Bakhdida through the centuries. Despite its protected position within the city, the convent met a tragic end in 1361 AD, when it was attacked by the local Kurdish forces, seized this convent and killed the women residing within it. Nearby geographical features retain historical names associated with the structure, including the site of Qurnuqartu, which translates to "the carved grave."

• Monastery of Beth 'Abi: Was in the Mosul area

• Monastery of Saint Sergius: Was located in a village called Mabrakta about 2 km from Veh Ardashir (Kokhe)

• Monastery of Melke Sawa: The monastery of Melke Sawa was a small monastic complex located on the bank of the Tigris River north of Mosul, approximately one and a half leagues from the city. The monastery overlooked the river and may have been situated in the area known as Hawi al-Kanisa, positioned between Mosul and the Monastery of Mor Mikhail monastery along the old course of the Tigris. It may have operated as an independent monastery or as a shrine affiliated with the Monastery of Mor Mikhail, though all physical traces of the complex have since completely disappeared. The name of the monastery indicates that it was dedicated to a venerated elder named Mor Malke, who is believed by some to be connected to the saint Mor Augin. The monastery likely belonged to the Syriac Orthodox community, whose members deeply respected and served Mor Malke, dedicating various shrines and monastic sites to his memory.