While European countries may well be a longtime magnet for attracting travellers with their beautiful churches — think the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City – the Arab world is also home to an understated, but just as impressive a landscape dotted with some of the world’s earliest Christian houses of worship. In fact, it is believed that the world’s oldest house-church (stretching back to the 3rd century) is in Syria, specifically in the ruined archaeological site of Dura-Europos.
Lebanese historian and founder of Heritage and Roots, an informative online platform dedicated to discussing cultural heritage, Charles al-Hayek says that “Christian communities in the Middle East are among the oldest in the world, forming an unbroken link to the origins of Christianity. Their rituals reflect the eastern roots of the faith, while the architecture of their churches – blending local, Byzantine, Islamic, and Western influences – is vital to the region’s cultural heritage.”
But in recent years, such symbolic landmarks have also been subjected to vandalism, as fanaticism and political tensions were on the rise in the region. And yet, they still stand tall and their presence reminds us of the importance of cultural inclusivity. "These enduring institutions and their monuments, of immense artistic and cultural value, testify to the Middle East once defined by diversity – and where this diversity still endures,” continued al-Hayek.
Here is a selection of stand-out historical and beautiful churches from the Arab world – whether nestled in a cave for centuries or recently built as symbols of interfaith unity – from Cairo and Gaza to Abu Dhabi.
Greek Orthodox Convent of St. Thecla, Maaloula
Syria's Christian village of Maaloula, located north of Damascus, is a sacred place that has previously been dubbed 'the breath of God'. Its arresting landscape is unlike any other, surrounded by the Qalamoun Mountains and populated with ancient grottos, monasteries, shrines, and houses constructed of rock. Some of Maaloula's residents still communicate in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ, and the village's name means 'entrance' in this rarely-heard language.
One of Maaloula's main monuments is the Greek Orthodox Convent of St. Thecla, named after Saint Thecla who is believed to have sought refuge here as a young woman fleeing from persecution. It is said that the mountains miraculously burst open to accommodate her. On the grounds of the three-domed convent (where nuns live), which was built in the 1930s, there is an open courtyard, a small fountain, a cave of holy water, old religious paintings, and a separate church adorned with frescoes.
Church of St. Porphyrius, Gaza
Prior to the ongoing Israeli bombardment on Gaza, the Palestinian city was home to a population of around 1,000 Christians, a majority of whom followed the Greek Orthodox Church. An anchor of this community is the Church of Saint Porphyrius, named after the Archbishop of Gaza, who was originally born in Greece in 347 AD and died in Gaza in 420 AD. Believed to be the third oldest church in the world, containing the tomb of the archbishop, the current structure was built in the 1100s by the Crusaders.
The church's arch-like interior is intimate, lit with shining chandeliers and coloured in a vivid tone of blue and gold. The walls also are embellished with classical murals, depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary and other holy figures. A site that remains under threat, the church complex was struck by Israeli forces twice, causing injuries and deaths. According to the church's Facebook page, Mass services remain open despite all challenges.
Syriac Catholic Church of Mar Tuma, Mosul
In the mid-19th century, the Syriac Catholic Church of Mar Tuma was consecrated in Mosul, Iraq, where its overall Christian community has lessened over the years following the 2003 US invasion of the country. In 1860, the first stone of the structure was laid and three years later the church was officially inaugurated. The site also houses a library and a museum.
The church's interior is a unique work of art, where walls and symmetrical upper arches, almost resembling those found in Andalusian architecture, are made of locally sourced grey marble. Running along the walls of the nave is a series of verses from the gospels, artfully sculpted in Arabic calligraphy. Unfortunately, in 2014, the church was controlled and badly damaged by extremist ISIS forces, apparently using the site as a prison. When the city was liberated in 2017, the church underwent restoration and reopened to the Christian community in 2022.
Cave Church, Cairo
Buried in a gap under a massive rock with a sloping seating area akin to an amphitheatre, here is one of the most unusual churches you will find in the region. The Monastery of Saint Simon, also called Cave Church, is located in Cairo's Zabbaleen neighbourhood (or 'Garbage City'), where trash collectors live and conjure up a variety of items made of waste, including tins and plastic bottles.
It is a relatively new Coptic Orthodox church, where the site of the rock, found in the Mokattam mountain, was discovered in 1974. Beneath the rock lie two levels, housing the sweeping Saint Simon the Tanner Hall, which is used for religious meetings attended by hundreds of worshippers. Its walls are carved with holy figures and verses from the Bible. Meanwhile, the lower level accommodates St. Mark's Church, established in 1993 and named after the founder of the Coptic Church, who died in modern-day Alexandria.
St. Francis Church, Abu Dhabi
Next on our list of remarkable churches is a modern Catholic monument in the complex of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. Inaugurated in February 2023, the cube-shaped St. Francis Church, accommodating around 300 people, was designed by Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye.
According to an explanation published by the House, the limestone church's numerous ‘exterior columns emphasise verticality to express the concepts of incarnation (or descent) and resurrection (or ascent)’. The focal point of the church's interior is its stunning cascade of wooden beams falling from its ceiling and a large cross that presides over the podium. A minimalist space, unlike traditional churches, there are no icons or religious depictions on its walls.
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
For many Christians around the world, embarking on a pilgrimage to immerse themselves in the history of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine is a lifetime experience. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it is considered the oldest church in Palestine. Originally dating back to the 4th century and built under the command of the Roman emperor Constantine, the stone church (which has three convents where nuns typically live, as well as floors and walls decorated with mosaics) has been reincarnated a great many times, living through all kinds of conditions.
Most importantly, it is believed to be the place where Jesus Christ was born. Indeed, the church was built over a cave associated with Jesus, which is a major aspect for visitors today, like seeing the Mona Lisa portrait in person at the Louvre in Paris. The secluded, dimly-lit Grotto of the Nativity, as it is known, is marked with a silver star (supposedly indicating the exact spot where Jesus was born) on the ground, surrounded by little lamps. A symbolic site, this is essentially where Christianity began, leading to what is known today as the world’s largest religion with two billion followers.
St. Paul Cathedral, Harissa
Overlooking a calming view of the bay of Jounieh, the St. Paul Cathedral in the village of Harissa is one of Mount Lebanon's architectural marvels. Inaugurated in 1998, the building took several decades to reach completion in construction, since the laying of the foundation stone took place in the 1940s and the interior mosaics were first implemented in 1980.
This is a place where you definitely have to look up: its golden ceiling is a masterpiece, studded entirely with vivid mosaics, rendering a rich portrayal of Christian iconographies as seen, for instance, in its semicircular, glistening apse. According to Statistics Lebanon, an independent research company, 30% of Lebanon's population is Christian, and for this community, visiting Harissa is a sacred ritual. Near the St. Paul Cathedral stands the iconic shrine, Our Lady of Lebanon, where a high, white-coloured statue of the Virgin Mary protects the city from above.
Cathedral of St. Elijah, Aleppo
Another house of worship that suffered from recent hardship is the Cathedral of St. Elijah in Syria's second city, Aleppo. Because of the 2011 war in Syria, the Maronite cathedral was severely damages, where a large part of its ceiling collapsed and its interior space was littered with debris. Artworks, such as paintings and statues, were also impacted, as well as wooden doors and windows. Between 2019 and 2020, an extensive restoration process took place, successfully repairing the church to its original grandeur in the summer of 2020.
But the domed cathedral has a history that stretches way back to the late 19th century, built in the Christian quarter of Al-Jdayde. One of the city's important cathedrals, influenced aesthetically by the Byzantine style, it is said that its bell is similar to that used in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
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