Monastery of Our Lady of Ilige: Testament to Maronite Faith, Resistance, and Heritage

BEIRUT — The Monastery of Our Lady of Ilige is recognized as the third seat of the Syriac Maronite Patriarchate in Lebanese history. Following their settlements in the monasteries of Kfarhay and Yanouh, the Syriac Maronites established themselves in Ilige around 1120 AD, remaining there until 1440. The name “Ilige” is thought to derive either from a Greek word meaning “sun” or a German term meaning “holiness.” Recently, Suroyo TV Lebanon visited the monastery and spoke with its head, Father Naji, to learn more about its storied past.

The monastery was built atop the ruins of a pagan temple where ancient inhabitants once worshipped the sun before converting to Christianity. Historical records suggest that Christian apostles traveled along the Roman road from Baalbek to the coast, passing through this region and transforming it into a Christian site from the earliest centuries.

Over time, the monastery endured repeated invasions by the Mamluks and Ottomans. It was destroyed, its bishop killed, and the surrounding Christian population displaced. Later, the Hamadeh clan seized the site and used it as a military barracks until they were defeated in the 1684 uprising.

The Syriac Maronite Church regained control of Ilige in 1767 through Prince Youssef al-Shehab, following appeals to return it to the Lebanese Maronite Order. Restoration began in 1786, with further renovations carried out between 1945 and 1982 under Father Nehmetallah el-Kafouni and the Directorate of Antiquities. These efforts expanded the monastery by adding three new floors and integrating it with the nearby church of Our Lady of Mayfouk. In the 1990s, the site was officially recognized as an archaeological landmark.

Patriarchs of Ilige

Eighteen patriarchs resided in Ilige, with tradition holding that seven are buried within the monastery itself, while others were interred in locations such as Kfifan and Hardine.

Among the most notable patriarchs:

• Patriarch Jeremiah al-Amshitti, the first Maronite to visit Rome in 1215, who received a miraculous Eucharist from Pope Zakhia III and is believed to be buried in Ilige.
• Patriarch Daniel al-Hadshiti, martyred by the Mamluks after years of resistance.
• Patriarch Gabriel Hjoula (1357–1367), remembered as a Maronite martyr who surrendered to the Mamluks to save his people and was executed in Tripoli after taking refuge in a cave in Jbeil.

Inscriptions and the Icon

The monastery contains two ancient Syriac inscriptions. The first, dated 1588 (1277 AD) and written in Estrangelo script, records the monastery’s completion by priests Dawoud, Boutros, and Youhanna, including the phrase: “Through you, we defeat our enemies …” The second, from 1746, was engraved by brothers Amon and Mina to mark the renovation of the altar.

The church also houses the historic icon of “Our Lady of Ilige,” which endured damage and fire during the Mamluk and Ottoman eras. Traditionally dated to the 8th century, it is the only icon known to have traveled with the patriarchs during their relocations. Today, it is revered in Maronite churches worldwide. Restored by Carmelite nuns in Harissa, the icon was found to consist of ten distinct layers, reflecting centuries of devotion and resilience.

For generations, this sacred site has borne witness to the journeys of patriarchs, the sacrifices of martyrs, and an unwavering flame of faith. More than a religious or historical monument, Our Lady of Ilige stands as a symbol of freedom, resistance, and enduring Maronite-Syriac heritage. Through its icons, inscriptions, and ancient forest, Ilige continues to tell a silent yet powerful story of dignity, resilience, and spiritual perseverance amid centuries of turmoil.