The word Diman (Dimane) is Syriac in origin and
means a statue or effigy. Diman is a village in
the caza (sub-prefecture) of Bsharri, following
down after Hasroun, Hadeth and Jebbeh. At 100km
from Beirut and 34 from Tripoli, it stands at a
height of 1400 meters on the heights overlooking
the holy valley of Kadisha, a picturesque spot unique
in this breath-taking North Lebanon.
Since 1822 Diman has been a most important religious
center. It was here that the summer residence of
the Maronite Patriarchate was established, after
being moved from Qannoubine in the Holy Valley below.
There may still be seen the historic remains of
the old edifice of the present-day patriarchate.
Ad Diman there is also to be found an ancient temple,
cellars for sarcophagi, and an old water mill. One
may visit the church of St. John and old houses
perched on the cliff and overhanging from the top
of the mountain. There is also a church dedicated
to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
The Patriarchate itself is the most important building.
Large numbers of the faithful, among them leading
personalities, visit there every day, with their
various problems and business matters to discuss
with His Beatitude the Maronite Patriarch, or go
to the church to pray and to fulfill vows.
The building is composed of a basement and of a
ground floor where stands the church in which one
may admire the work of the artist Saliba Doueihy
and wall paintings covering different subjects,
especially one of Saint Marina and another along
the upper border representing the Qannoubine valley
and the Cedars. On the first floor there is the
Patriarch’s Wing and rooms and annexes for the personnel
of the community. A bell tower and red tiles cover
the monastery terrace.
In the surrounding neighborhood there are many caves
and impressive rocks, with the grotto of Jamajem,
the oldest extent oak forest, the garden of the
Patriarchate, a cedar coppice, and a picturesque
pathway leading down to the Qannoubine valley. Several
springs have been put in order and restaurants built
for the convenience of visitors. The village is
indistinguishable from the Patriarchate.
Joseph
Mattar - Translation from the French: K.J. Mortimer
- Dimane, Maronite Patriarchate: >> View
Movie << (2010-01-15)
- Dimane, Maronite Patriarchate 2: >> View
Movie << (2010-01-15)
- Dimane, Maronite Patriarchate 3: >> View
Movie << (2010-01-15)
