Background
In Syriac, 'Hamatoura' translates into 'the mountain of fervour.' It served as a place where monks would gather to practice asceticism. Upon readiness, the abbot, also a bishop, would ordain them as hieromonks, marking their commitment to service. This act symbolised the pouring forth of a spring, hence why the monastery came to be known as 'the mountain of fervour' or 'the spring of
'the mountain.
The mountain was teeming with hermitages, hosting monks from diverse nationalities and speaking various languages. With the Syriac language prevailing in Mount Lebanon, the monks recited their communal prayers in Syriac, Greek and Arabic, adhering to the monastery's rites and Orthodox observances.
Among these monasteries, the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos - Hamatoura stood as the principal establishment, tracing its origins as the oldest monastery nestled within the mountain's embrace. Originally a site for pagan worship, the dedicated monks transformed it into a sanctuary devoted to the Virgin Mother of God; its exact inception into monasticism remains shrouded in mystery.
Additionally, the Monastery of Saint George - Hamatoura, dating back to the 11th century, finds mention in ancient manuscripts hailing from the era of Saint Jacob of Hamatoura. A weathered inscription above one of its gates bears witness to restoration efforts undertaken in the 18th century. Chronicled by the Russian traveller Vasily Barsky, it was customary for the monks to sojourn there during summers, seeking solace amidst the mountain's tranquillity, while descending to the Monastery of the Theotokos in winter. Yet, the relentless onslaughts, particularly by what Barsky referred to as 'the Hagarenes', compelled them to seek permanent refuge within the protective confines of the Monastery of the Theotokos.
Location
The Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos is perched on the shoulder of the Sacred Qadisha Valley, a breathtaking landscape that stretches from the Cedars of God through the winding paths of Mount Lebanon, nestled between the towns of Kousba and Ras Kifa. It sits 450 meters above sea level, approximately 25 kilometres from the city of Tripoli. Accessible from Kousba via a challenging thirty-minute hike, the monastery stands two hundred meters above the river, making the journey both awe-inspiring and rewarding.
Saint George's Monastery, perched atop the mountain, can be reached from the Monastery of Our Lady of Hamatoura by foot, through a winding path amidst the monastery's forests in about an hour and a half. Alternatively, it can be accessed from the direction of Zgharta, passing through the villages of Ras-Kifa and Karm Saddeh along rugged agricultural roads.