Syriac Monasteries in Turkey (Outside Tur-'Abdin)

Syriac Monasteries in Turkey (Outside Tur-'Abdin)

The 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.

Antioch

• Dayro d'Tala’da

• Beth Malke Monastery: in the province of Antioch. It was in this monastery that Dionysius II resided in the middle of the seventh century and translated books of philosophy into our Syriac language. 

• Mar Daniel in Kfarbil, in the province of Antioch;

• Dawa'r (Circles) Monastery: in the province of Antioch, is first mentioned in history in 1112. From it came one Patriarch and four bishops.

• Eusebius Monastery: It's located near the village of Tal'ada, in the vicinity of Antioch. It was built by the monks Eusebius the Great and Amian, who established it as a school for the teaching of philosophy about 340. St. Simon the Stylite entered this monastery at the beginning of his monastic vocation and in 409 it had 120 monks residening and studying there. The Patriarch Youhana of the Sedros graduated from this monastery in 631. Jacob of Edessa, a prominent Syriac scholar and considered one of the Syriac Fathers, served in this monastery for more than 10 years before he transferred to Dayro d'Tala’da. Two other bishops also studied and graduated from this monastery, Constantine, the Metropolitan of Edessa who was with St. Jacob of Edessa at the same time and Bishop Otalius. After a period of disturbances in the monastery at the end of 8th century and the beginning 9th century, Patriarch Dionysius of Tel-Mehre, was successful in taking control of this monastery and rebuild the monastery’s destroyed church. This restoration allowed the monastery to return to the fold of the Orthodox Patriarchate, eventually producing leaders like Mor John, the Bishop of Baghdad, and continuing its legacy

• Monastery of Beth Licinius in the Black Mountain 

• Monastery of Mar George Kasliyud in the Black Mountain. 

• Monastery of Qourzaheil: Two patriarchs, Youhanon V and Iwannis II studied in this monastery.

Cilicia

• Monastery of Baqsmat: Also knows as Phaqsmat, situated in the city of Sis within the region of Cilicia, Turkey. Its importance as a patriarchal residence and intellectual center is well-documented, beginning with the residency of Patriarch John XII in 1208. The monastery also served as the final resting place for several church leaders, including Patriarch John bar Ma'dani (1253–1263), who died and was buried within its walls, and Patriarch Ignatius III (1264–1283), who passed away at the monastery on October 27, 1282, following a summer residency.

During the conflicts between the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt between 1266 and 1279, the Mamluk Egyptian forces burned the monastery three times, resulted in the deaths of twenty-five monks, as well as the venerable Rabban Shlemon and the patriarchal secretary, Mor Ignatius and it was completly burned in 1266. The violence was so severe that the local Syriac population and the clergy were forced to flee to the security of the fortress of Bahga. Despite these cycles of destruction, the monastery continued its role as a learning center and was  associated with ecclesiastical figures, such as Gregory, the Metropolitan of Sis in 1290. The monastery represented a symbol of the resilience of the Syriac Orthodox community in Cilicia during an era of constant warfare and displacement.

Edessa

• Fsilta Monastery: or the Quarry Monastery, outside Tell Mawzalt, was built in the fifth century and it produced five metropolitans. Nothing is known about it after 880. It's where Mor Jacob Baradaeus studied.

• Arabs' Monastery: between Tell Mawzalt and Tall Basam, nearer to Tell Mawzalt. It was built in the fifth century and is described in history as having been inhabited from 521 to 854. Four bishops graduated from it.

• Barbara Monastery: in the Mountain of Edessa. There is another monastery by the same name. This one was established in the beginning of the fifth century, but was not mentioned by historians until 1191. From it graduated Basilius Faris, metropolitan of Edessa (d. 1204).

• Monastery of the Easterners: one of the biggest and most important monasteries in the Mountain of Edessa, was built in the fourth century. In 600, Domitian, the Greek bishop of Melitene, persecuted and killed about four hundred of its monks for holding their Miaphysite believes. It remained in existence until the middle of the thirteenth century and produced eleven bishops.

• Monastery of Jacob, the Doctor of the Church: also called the Nawawis Monastery (tombs), in the Mount of Edessa, an hour and a half south of the city. Formerly, it was a pagan temple and a pagan alter still stands there. This monasteryIy was built in the fifth century and was mentioned by John of Ephesus in his history in 519 It was renovated by its abbot, John of Sarug, who was elevated to the office of Maphryono of the East in 1164. It remained inhabited until 1223. Its ruins are still visible. 

• Mother of God Monastery: or the Monastery of the Solitary Strangers: in the Mount of Edessa, south of the city of Edessa and the Nawawis Monastery. The chronicler monk of Zuqnin mentioned it in his history (c. 751). One Patriarch and some bishops graduated from it. It remained active until the thirteenth century. 

• Quba Monastery: also called the Monastery of the Domes: in the Mountain of Edessa, south of St. Cosmas C hurch. Built at the beginning of the fifth century, it was destroyed by Ibn al-Bukhturi in 751, but was later restored. By 873 it had produced three bishops. 

• Sinun (Sinin) Monastery: near Edessa, was mentioned in history in 512 and 565. It was destroyed in 751 by the tyrant 'Abd Allah al-Bukhturi 

• The Monastery of the Bishop, named after the Mother of God.

• Monastery of St. John, the Apostle: Built on a summit of the hills near Edessa

• The Monastery of the Exedra (Gallery): Built on top of the mountain, so called because of a gallery especially built for the abbots. The Anonymous Edessan of 1234 said that in one year 12,000 were baptized in it at Epiphany day. At that time, 90,000 monks lived in the mountain

• The Monastery of White, mentioned by Yaqut al-Hamawi, who called it Dayr al-Abyad (The White Monastery), was built on a mountain overlooking Edessa. The pealing of its bell could be heard in the city. The spot on which it is built overlooks Harran.

• Monastery of the Stranger Ascetics in the Edessa Mountain. 

• Dayro d'Mor Severus: Maphryono Tuma of Takrit (d. 847) and Maphryono Athanasius of Takrit (d. 904) studied there

• Monastery of Beth Purkse (the place of towers)

• Monastery of Zakkai

• Monastery of Qanon

• Monastery of Samuel

• Monastery of Handibana

• Monastery of Eusebius 

• Monastery of Julian Saba

• Monastery of Sts. Sergius and Bachus: It was a small monastery outside Edessa North gate built before 1099 by Athanasius, Metropolitan of Edessa.

Harran

• Beth Botin Monastery: in Harran. A synod met there in 793. It produced one Patriarch and three bishops and remained active until 975

• Kafrtina Monastery: outside Harran, south of Edessa, was mentioned by historians for the first time in 710. 

• Murayba Monastery: Murayba is a big village in the province of Harran. Two bishops graduated from its monastery in the first half of the ninth century. 

Karkar (Gerger)

• Dayro d'Mor Abhai: Also called the Monastery of the Ladders, is on the right bank of the Euphrates, a half-hour journey from the village of 'Urbish, near Karkar. It was established sometime after the fifth century and was first mentioned by historians in the beginning of the ninth century. It produced one Patriarch and fourteen bishops. It was inhabited until the beginning of the eighteenth century. Some of its ruins are still standing. 

• Dayro d'Mor Abhai: Was near the town of Murfa and founded in the 10th century. It was built on a ledge in the cliff of a mountain

• Dayro d'Mor Domit: Was near the town of Peskin and was founded in the late 11th century

• Dayro d'Fusqin: Was also called the "Barefooted" Monastery: on the left bank of the Euphrates, near Mor Abhai Monastery in Karkar. Master David and a group of monks renovated it at the beginning of the eleventh century. To this monastery are attributed five bishops in the tenth century. Its nave was built by the monk Habakkuk (fl. c. 1160). The monastery was still populated in 1565, but was abandoned a few years later.

• Dayro d'Mor Sergius

• Dayro d'Sumakto: Its name mean the Red monastery and it was a cave complex. It existed in the 11th and 12th centuries

• Dayro d'Mor Ya'koub: Was near Kaysum but it was taken over by Armenian monks in the 12th century and destoyed in the 20th century

• Abu Ghalib Monastery: It was also called the King's Table Monastery, near the village of Wank in the Karker region near Miletene between Samosata nd Hisno d'Ziyad. It was built in 1138 west of the Euprates and remained in existence and active center for worrshop and scholarship until 1600. It became known with this name after Abu Ghalib, an ascetic who lived a life of devotion for seventy years. Patriarch Michael the Great ordained him as the Bishop of Jihan, giving him the name Athanasius, and Abu Ghalib passed away at the monastery at an age exceeding eighty years. It produced five bishops, Mor Michael and Basil, the Bishop of Aleppo, who had previously served as the head of the monastery under the name Qusto. Another notable alumnus was Ioannis, the Bishop of Homs, originally known as the monk Joseph al-Amidi. Historical records, including the writings of Patriarch Michael the Great highlight the monastery's central role in the ecclesiastical politics of the era. In 1165, Patriarch Michael oversaw the construction of a new church within the monastery in the Berta region, and he later rebuilt or expanded the church in 1170. This monastery played a role in the selection of patriarchs following Michael’s death in 1199, as well as significant electoral events occurring in 1087 and 1222, including the selection of Patriarch Ignatius II. Despite the widespread destruction of nearby religious sites mentioned by the Geregorius Bar Ebroyo in his history, the monastery of Abu Ghalib survived these turbulent times under the protection of Prince Isa, the ruler of Suwayrik.

• Shiro Monastery: was built in the name of St. Shabtai, a fifth century ascetic, opposite the Monastery of Mor Abhai, near the Monastery of Fusqin in Karkar. It was restored by Athanasius Denha, metropolitan of Edessa (1171-1191). While a monk, Patriarch John XII resided in this monastery and in it he was consecrated Patriarch, it remained populated until the beginning of the seventeenth century. 

• Zakka Monastery: in Karkar, also called the Monastery of the Virgin, was rebuilt in 1588 and produced two bishops. 

Kharput

• The Monastery of the Virgin:  Was also known as the Monastery of Ba’uth or Bani Ba’uth, located near the city of Kharput (Hisno d'Ziyad) in eastern Turkey, situated close to the source of the Tigris River. It was first mentioned in 1057 AD and over the centuries, it became a notable center for ecclesiastical training, producing four bishops who played vital roles in the Syriac Orthodox Church hierarchy. The monastery’s later history was marked by increasing instability and violence. In July 1290, a period of turmoil began following the visit of a pious Armenian monk who had been traveling to inspire repentance among the faithful. His presence provoked resentment among the local Arab population, leading to false accusations and a violent outbreak. Gregorius Bar 'Ebroyo wrote in his Chronicon Syriacum (The Chronicles) that the monk was killed alongside three locals, an event that culminated in the ransacking of the monastery and surrounding houses. This cycle of aggression continued until approximately 1311 AD, when the monastery was finally seized and occupied, effectively ending its era as a Syriac Orthodox sanctuary. Some of the graduates of this monastery are: Timothy, Bishop of Tel Batriq, who was ordained by Patriarch Athanasius (1058 and 1063 AD) and Dioscorus Theodorus, Metropolitan of Hisno d'Ziyad who served as Metropolitan of Hisno d'Ziyad until his death in 1275 AD, 

• Dayro d'Mor Quryaqus: Also known as Zonigqart, located in Hisn Ziyad at the confluence of the Rivers Dhib and Arsanius, both of which are tributaries of the River Euphrates. Around the year 1207, the physician Shim’un of Hisn Ziyad undertook the renovation of the Monastery of Mar Quryaqos, Shim’un adorned this monastery with opulent royal artifacts and vessels made of gold and silver. He assembled approximately sixty monks there, providing them with extensive tracts of land and an abundance of cows, sheep, and beehives. They quickly gained a reputation for their devout and virtuous living. Further evidence of the monastery's early vitality comes from a manuscript copied in the hand of the famous Zebina (a Syriac name meaning "buyer"), which he completed for this monastery in 1227. In this text, it is recorded that the monastery was inhabited by eighty monks who lived a communal life, modeled after the holy Apostles. Zebina referred to the establishment as “The Monastery of the Mother of God and Mar Quryaqus the martyrs.” The flourishing state of the monastery is additionally demonstrated by the fact that the Patriarch of Antioch, Mar Ignatius II, resided there for a significant period, beginning only a few years after his installation as patriarch in 1222. The same historian subsequently provided a brief account of the monastery's destruction. However, Saint Dioscorus, the metropolitan of Hisn Ziyad, managed to buy the monastery possisions back and among the recovered treasures was a copy of the pictorial Gospel penned by Rabban Zebina, which the metropolitan donated to the Syriac church of Tabriz as a gift. 

Mar’ash

• Kasliyud Monastery: in the province of Mar'ash. Between 1100 and 1200 four bishops graduated from it. 

• Monastery of Mor Shina: Located in Mar’ash. Seven bishops graduated from it between 805 and 1110. In his Chronicles, Michael Rabo mentioned that Coptic Patriarch Shenouda appointed St. John from the Monastery of Mor Shena in the province of Marash to the See of Melitene, replacing Ibn Tunis, who had renounced the faith. He also mention that John, the Metropolitan of Melitene from the Monastery of Mor Shena, left and settled in Amid, fleeing persecution by the Greeks. Also in his Chronicles, Michael Rabo mentions the names of bishops who were monks in this monastery, including: Ioannis, Metropolitan of Henzel, ordained by Patriarch Dionysius of Tell Mahre (818-845); Philoxenus, ordained by Patriarch Dionysius II (896-909); and John, Bishop of Delek, ordained by Patriarch Athanasius Salhoyo (987-1003). Timothy, Bishop of Marash, was ordained by Patriarch Athanasius V Yehyo (1058-1063), and Philoxenus, Bishop of Kalinj, was ordained by Patriarch Athanasius Bar Khamoro (1091-1129). 

Melitene

• Dayro d'Mor Barsawmo

• Aaron Monastery: in Shaghr, in the province of Qallisura. Two patriarchs and five bishops graduated from it between 986 and 1170. ancient monastery, presumably established in the fifth century. It became a center of learning in the eleventh century; from it graduated Ignatius III, metropolitan of Melitene.

• Aaron Monastery: In the Mountain near Melitene, was built by St. Aaron of Sarug, the ascetic, in 389. It produced six bishops between 1088 and 1289.

• Monastery of al-Barid: 

• Bar Jaji Monastery: on the Dry river, in the province of Melitene. It was established in 960 by the monk Elijah Ibn Jaji from Takrit, in commemoration of the Forty Martyrs. In this monastery, the monk John, the pupil of Marun, taught linguistics and philosophy (c. 980-999). Sixteen eminent men of the church graduated from it until 1105. In 1085, however, it was destroyed in an attack by three thousand Turkish soldiers against Melitene.

• The Monastery of the Forty Martyrs: Was famously known as the Monastery of Ibn Jaji or Bar Jaji and located on a dry riverbed in the near the city of Melitene. It was founded around 960 by the monk Elijah Ibn Jaji al-Tikriti under the direction of Patriarch Dionysius, the site was initially purchased and renovated to serve as a religious stronghold. Although Ibn Jaji died before the project reached completion, the work was carried forward by John, a disciple of Maron, who finalized the dedication to the Forty Martyrs. The monastery's infrastructure was further enhanced by the merchant John Bar Marutha from Takrit, who installed water pipes, and by Emmanuel, a disciple of Maphrian Cyriacus, who completed the church and living quarters over a three-year period leading up to its formal inauguration in 1001. Throughout the late tenth and eleventh centuries, approximately 120 monks lived in it to study linguistics, philosophy, and Syriac theology. Under the guidance of John, who taught there until his death and burial on the grounds, the institution became a "nursery" for the Church’s upper hierarchy. By 1105, it produced sixteen bishops and was home monastery of Patriarch Athanasius al-Salhi, Maphrian Ignatius Mark ibn Qiqi al-Baghdadi, and Patriarch John ibn Abdun. Other notable graduates included the bishops of Edessa, Jerusalem, and Simandu, as well as the scribe Isaac of Arqa. The monastery was also celebrated for its intellectual treasures, housing a library of rare manuscripts and precious books that were carefully curated by John starting in 990. The monastery’s influence extended into the late eleventh century through scholars like Dionysius of Jubas, a renowned calligrapher and disciple of Patriarch John ibn Shushan. However, its prosperity was frequently threatened by the volatility of the region. In 1058, a significant raid on Miletene by three thousand Turkish soldiers caused extensive damage to the complex, and while records suggest the community continued to function into the first quarter of the thirteenth century, it eventually succumbed to the pressures of war and time. The monastery remains a vital chapter in ecclesiastical history of the Syriac Orthodox Church, symbolizing a golden age of Syriac education and the enduring legacy of the monks and merchants from Takrit in the region of Melitene.

• Rahta Monastery: It was located near Melitene

• The Monastery of Sarjisiyya: Built to honor the Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus and its construction started in about 958 by the monk Kiso Ashnawi of Azerbaijan in Jubas near Melitene and was finished in 1001. One of the professors at its school was John, student of Marun. From its founding until 1170, one Maphryono and ten bishops graduated from it, when it began to breathe the perfume of knowledge. This monastery and that of al-Bárid remained as centers of knowledge to the twelfth century.

• Lazarus Monastery: One patriarch, Dionysius IV studied there

Samosata

• 'Arnish Monastery: in the vicinity of Kesum and Ra'ban, was usurped by the wicked Gurtij the Armenian, who persecuted and expelled its monks, converting it into a citadel in 1114, but the monks were able to regain it. Between 1095 and 1132, six bishops graduated from it.

• Harbaz Monastery: also called George Monastery: in the province of Samosata. Its name first appears in history at the end of the seventh century, but nothing is known about it after the ninth century. From it graduated one Patriarch and five bishops.

• Monastery of Mor Jacob: Was located near Kesum and was first mentioned in history at the end of the seventh century. Ten bishops graduated from it between 810 and 925. 

Sarug

• Monastery of Mor Shila: Located in the region of Sarug and named in honor of Saint Shila (who passed away in 506), stood as a preeminent center of Syriac Orthodox scholarship and ecclesiastical authority for centuries. The monastery was the site of two major synods in 706 and 846 and served as the training ground for at least nine bishops between the years 698 and 930. Its influence began to manifest early, as evidenced by Mansur ibn Marzuq al-Basbrini’s record of a 698 census and the subsequent election of George of Mor Shila as the Bishop of Sarug and the White Region. 

The Edessan chronicler, noted that on November 21, 847, one year after the death of Patriarch Dionysius of Tell Mahre, bishops convened at Mor Shila to consecrate John IV of the Monastery of Mor Zakka as the new head of the Apostolic See. This trend of high-level assembly continued with Dionysius II, who, despite being trained at the Monastery of Beth Batin, chose Mor Shila Monastery as the location for a significant synod in 896, attended by twenty-five bishops and resulting in the establishment of twenty-five canons. Beyond the patriarchate, the monastery produced a long lineage of distinguished bishops and metropolitans. These include Anastas of Rishkefa and Gabriel of Greater Armenia under Patriarch Quriaqos; Jonah of Gurgan under Patriarch Dionysius of Tell Mahre; and Abdul-Ahad of Henzit and Timothy of Samosata under Patriarch John V. The monastery's reach extended into the 10th century with the ordinations of Denha of Qlisura, Moses of Damascus, David of Homs, and Gregory the Scientist, who was named Metropolitan of Miletene and Claudia by Patriarch Basil II.

Seleucia

• Monastery of St. Thomas: It was built in the name of St. Thomas the Evangelist and it was located near Seleucia in current day Turkey. Though its exact origins are debated, this monastery, after the closure of School of Edessa in 589, provided the pedagogical and ascetic framework that would later be adopted by the School of Qenneshrin. It was active during the early 6th century and focused on the integration of Greek logic with Syriac theology. Youhana Bar Aphtonia studied there and became its abbot before it was taken over by the Melkite and Bar Aphtonia and the other monks moved out and established Monastery of Qenneshrin. 

• Monastery of Mor Mama: There are two monasteries built in the Seleucia region after Mor Mama who was martyred in 274 AD

• Monastery of Mor Tajon: Was located near Seleucia and mentioned by Michael Rabo in his chronicle

• Buzi Monastery: Was located near Seleucia and mentioned by Michael Rabo in his chronicle where Jacob Baradaeus ordained the monastery’s abbot to to be a bishop of Seleucia

• Monastery of Talin

• Monastery of Mor Shemuel

• Monastery of the Cross

• Monastery of Derwan