Mar Elias Al-Ghayyour

Perched on a verdant slope overlooking the Qatana plain, Deir Mar Elias Al-Douair dates back to the 6th century AD. The monastery comprises an upper church and a cave interior believed to have sheltered the Prophet Elijah. Its walls are adorned with stratified layers of Byzantine frescoes that reflect centuries of devotion. During the Syrian conflict, the monastery became a haven for displaced families. In response, the monks built a guesthouse and a small convent for nuns. They have also preserved a distinctive liturgical heritage through the continued use of Greek-Arabic chants.