Mor Mattai - Mossul, Iraq - Abbeys, Convents and Monasteries on Waymarking.com

Mor Mattai monastery, located 20 km NE of Mossul, was founded in 363 by Mor Mattai the Hermit, who fled persecution by the Romans under Julian the Apostate.

From Wikipedia:
(visit link)

"According to Syriac tradition, he converted Mor Behnam to Christianity and healed his sister, Sarah, whom he converted too. Their father, Sennacherib, was the Governor of the area of Nimrud, and appointed by the Persian King Shapur. He killed his son and daughter when he learned they became Christians, but he later recanted and built a church and a monastery per Mor Mattai's request on the Mount Alfaf.

The church and monastery were surrounded by a strong wall and contained water tanks. The monks that came with Mor Mattai lived in huts and caves around the monastery and on the mountain itself. Mor Mattai became the monastery superior and under his leadership the community developed a true monastic ethos. When Mor Mattai died, he was interred in the monastery. He was succeeded by Mor Zakai, one of the monks who came with him from Amid."

Nowadays the monastery can be visited and it's a lively place of pilgrimage. However, the original monastery is not in use anymore and only some walls can be seen on the location. The complex is made of modern constructions.

Full name of the abbey/monastery/convent: Dayro d-Mor Mattai Address: Dayro d-Mor MattaiErbil Iraq Religious affiliation: Syriac Orthodox Date founded/constructed: 363 Web Site: [Web Link] Status of Use: Acitvely Used

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