Affiliation Greek Orthodox Address باب شرقي، Damascus, Syria | Year consecrated ~200 AD Architectural type Church | |
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Location Street called Straight, Damascus, Syria Ecclesiastical or organizational status Seat of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch Similar House of Saint Ananias, Bab Kisan, Bab Sharqi, Bab al‑Faradis, Temple of Jupiter - Damascus | ||
Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus (Arabic: الكنيسة المريمية) is one of the oldest Greek Orthodox churches in Damascus, Syria and holds the seat of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch. The church complex is located on the Street Called Straight.
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History
The church was built during the 2nd century AD. After the Muslim conquest of Damascus the church was closed until 706 AD when al-Walid ordered to return it to the Christians as a compensation for the Church of John the Baptist which was turned into the Umayyad Mosque.
The church was destroyed and rebuilt several times in later years. It was described by Ibn Jubayr as:
Inside the town there is a church which is very important to the Romans. It is known as the Church of Mary. Its importance comes after the Church of Jerusalem. It is a beautiful building includes miraculous pictures which appeal to mind and eyes. It is in the hands of the Romans and nobody objects to them at it.
In 1342, the Patriarchal See of Antioch was transferred from Antioch to Damascus and the church served as the seat of the Greek Orthodox Church in the East.
The church was burned down by mobs, along with most of the Christian quarter, when the 1860 Druze-Christian conflict in Lebanon spilled into Damascus, and was rebuilt three years later. It was last renovated in 1953.
Church of Mary
The Church of Mary is the main church building, and dates back to the late 4th century.
Chapel of Saint Tekla
The chapel was added to the complex after the restoration of the cathedral in 1840. It holds the seat of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.
Chapel of Catherine
The chapel was added after restoration works. It holds a small museum dedicated to the history of the church.