Great Journey 🏍 Day 331
We are in the farthest corner of Turkey, just before the borders with Syria and Iraq. And what do we come across? One of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world: the Mor Gabriel Monastery.
Tamer, with whom we are currently staying, drives here with us. Shortly before we take the small road up into the mountains to the monastery, he makes a phone call. Yes, we are already expected.
We are greeted and invited for refreshment. We are in dire need of it: 42 degrees in the shade and Gerd is also beginning to feel "front-and-back" with increasing listlessness.
While we are served tea, water and "Werthers Echte" (apparently they came here with German pilgrims), we learn a lot about the history of the monastery, the many ups and downs in the ever-changing religious dominions.
Then we go on a private tour of the monastery. We notice how many things are so clear to us, for Tamer some customs of the Christians are new. He asks about them. We always feel this way when we are in a mosque.
Part of the monastery was restored in the 70s, it looks very beautiful and really dignified. Today the monastery, formerly with a large library and monastery school, is more of a social and religious centre and place of pilgrimage.
We were impressed by the inscriptions, which are in Aramaic and look beautiful. As we both have a professional connection to writing & typography, we could constantly photograph calligraphies and characters - without any idea of meaning.
PS: Actually, we want to finish the day in Mardin, but Gerd just wants to go to bed. And as fate would have it, we are staying with two doctors who are now taking turns to look after him, pamper him and let him get better in peace. We are of course allowed to stay until he is well. It is a matter of honour that we occupy the parents' bedroom all the time. We are so grateful and touched by so much hospitality.
PPS: Gerd is doing well again in the meantime, our experiences here are always delayed by a few days!
#monasteryMorGabriel #morgabriel #manastirMorGabriel
