Dayro d'Mor Marqos 

Dayro d'Mor Marqos

Also known as the Monastery of the Syrians is a significant Syriac Orthodox monastery located in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. This monastery holds a unique place in Christian tradition, as it is believed to be situated on the site of the house of Mary, the mother of Mark the Evangelist. This connection to the early Christian community gives the monastery exceptional historical and spiritual importance. It is an old monastery, built in the fifth or sixth century, according to an Estrangelo Syriac inscription on a stone discovered in 1940. Today it is the see of our metropolitan and it has been the home of Syriac monks since 1472. The monastery has a magnificent library and a press. It has produced seven bishops. The books in its library were collected at the end of the fifteenth century. A good number of them are remnants of the library of the Monastery of Magdalene (which existed from the eleventh through the fourteenth centuries). The number of its Syriac manuscripts was increased to more than three hundred and fifty volumes.

According to ancient inscriptions and traditions, the house of Mary was not only a place of residence but also a central gathering point for early Christians. It is said to have been the location of the Last Supper shared by Jesus and his disciples, a place where the apostles sought refuge after Jesus's crucifixion, and the site of several post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. This foundational to core events in Christianity's origin solidifies the monastery's significance.

Over the centuries, Dayro Mor Marqos has undergone several transformations, reflecting the complex history of Jerusalem itself. The current structure, which largely dates back to the Crusader period, stands as a testament to the enduring presence of the Syriac Orthodox community in the Holy Land. It has been a place of worship, pilgrimage, and residence for the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Jerusalem, playing a crucial role in preserving Syriac Christian heritage within the city.

Today, Dayro Mor Marqos continues to be an important spiritual center, attracting pilgrims and visitors from around the world. Its rich history, its connection to the apostles, and role in the Syriac Orthodox Church make it a living link to the earliest days of Christianity. The monastery stands as a symbol of faith, resilience, and the ongoing legacy of Syriac Christianity in the heart of Jerusalem.