Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral | ||
---|---|---|
Year consecrated 1764 | | |
Status | active | |
Location | ||
Location | Nejmeh Square, Beirut, Lebanon | |
Geographic coordinates | 33°53′47″N 35°30′19″E / 33.896339°N 35.505141°E | |
Architecture | ||
Completed | 1772 | |
Specifications | ||
Direction of façade | West | |
Materials | Sandstone, marble, limestone |
Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (
History
The establishment of the
The
In 551 AD a massive earthquake destroyed the whole of Beirut including the "Anastasis cathedral". In the 12th century a cathedral was built in the same location. The structure was badly damaged by a 1759 earthquake and was pulled down to be built anew. Construction started in 1764 and the new, larger structure, with one nave and a vaulted ceiling, was completed in 1767. However, the ceiling collapsed killing 90 people, due to the lack of supporting pillars.[1][6][7] In 1772 the church was rebuilt on a cruciform plan with three naves, a new portico was added to the north facade, the main western facade was enlarged and a new bell-tower was built on the north-western corner.[1][6]
In 1783 the cathedral underwent a series of modifications, including the addition of the narthex to the western facade and the enlargement of the apse to fit the central axis of the cathedral's main altar. That same year Younes al-Jbeily offered the church its ornate gilded wooden iconostasis.[6][7]
The last modifications to the cathedral were made in 1910, with the addition of a vaulted portico to the south facade, the cathedral was further enlarged to the east and the bell tower was moved to the south-east corner. The interior of the cathedral was decorated with ornate frescoes offered by Ibrahim Youssef Saad.[6]
In 1975, following the outbreak of the
The cathedral was badly damaged in the
The archaeological crypt museum
In 1994, archaeological excavations undertaken within and in the vicinity of the Saint George cathedral before the initiation of restoration works unveiled a number of artifacts and vestiges spanning the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval and Ottoman eras. The aim of the excavation was to locate the Byzantine Anastasis cathedral in relation to the standing cathedral and ultimately triangulate the location of the ancient
The museum consists of a crypt running under a part of the cathedral where visitors walk through 12 stops showcasing the different archaeological and historical layers.[2][9] The museum has a surface area of 250 square metres (2,700 sq ft), it is accessible through a breach in the cathedral's foundation wall and a stairwell built in front of the church's northern side.[11] Towards the end of the circuit, the crypt opens up to a glass partition giving views to the cathedral's altar.[2][9]
The display includes a number of finds such as oil lamps, smoking pipes, pottery, statuettes and Christian vessels and ornaments. Other vestiges kept in-situ include parts of the older churches' altars and apse, mosaics, stone engravings, tombstones and columns, some of which belong to the old city's Cardo maximus.[9][11]
The excavated area also includes a necropolis where 25 burials were opened. The tombs were oriented on an east–west axis, with the head facing west. These graves consisted of a single sandstone course overlaid by large stone slabs. A large quantity of iron nails were uncovered in the necropolis suggesting the use of wooden coffins in the funeral customs. Among the uncovered tombs was a one containing the skeleton of a man wearing a bronze tiara, with an iron arrowhead and three bronze amulets placed over his chest.[9]
See also
- Beirut Central District
- Eastern Orthodox Church
- Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon
- Christianity in Lebanon
- Saint George Maronite Cathedral, Beirut
- Sayyidat al-Nouriyyeh
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Papapostolou, A. (17 March 2012). "Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George: The Oldest Church in the City of Beirut". Greek Reporter. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Abi Yahgi, Jeanne D'arc (April 2011). مكتشفات بيروت تروي تاريخها. مجلة الجيش (in Arabic). Lebanese Army. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
- ^ ""Anastasis" ancient Roman cathedral". Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut. "Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut – Who we are". Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ ISBN 9953-74-101-8.
- ^ a b c d e f Bader, Leila (2010). Saint George Cathedral though history. Beirut: The archaeological crypt museum of Saint George cathedral of the Greek Orthodox.
- ^ a b c Discover Lebanon. أماكن العبادة في لبنان – أماكن العبادة المسيحية في لبنان (in Arabic). Discover Lebanon. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ "Serious damage to St George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Beirut". Orthodox Times. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Abu-Fadil, Magda (9 January 2011). "Beirut Cathedral Museum Reveals Layers of Christian History". HuffPost. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
- ^ Tripoli scope staff. افتتاح المتحف الجوفي لكاتدرائية القديس جاورجيوس الاثنين 3 كانون الثاني 2011 (in Arabic). Tripoli scope. Retrieved 18 March 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ ISBN 9780892369201. Retrieved 21 March 2013.