⛪ Mar Mattai Monastery

About This Sacred Site

Mar Mattai Monastery, also known as St. Matthew's Monastery, is one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, founded in 363 CE by the hermit Mar Mattai. Perched high on Mount Maqlub (Alfaf) in the Nineveh Plains of northern Iraq, the Syriac Orthodox monastery has survived centuries of conflict and persecution. It houses ancient manuscripts and a library of great scholarly importance. The monastery has served as a seat of learning and a refuge for persecuted Christians throughout its history.

Spiritual Significance

Mar Mattai Monastery, founded in 363 CE, is a central pilgrimage destination for Syriac Orthodox Christians, located at 1,100 meters altitude on Mount Maqlub. The monastery hosts annual feast days honoring St. Matthew the Hermit, attracting pilgrims who participate in liturgies conducted in Classical Syriac, the liturgical language of the church. It safeguards rare manuscripts of biblical texts and Syriac theological writings, which are studied by visiting scholars and monks. The monastery's chapel contains relics believed to be those of early Christian martyrs, venerated through specific prayers and candle-lighting rituals. Pilgrims engage in ascents to the monastery as acts of penance and devotion, reflecting Syriac Orthodox doctrines of monasticism and asceticism. Its location and ancient architecture symbolize spiritual refuge and continuity of Eastern Christian traditions in Iraq.

Key Facts

• •Founded in 363 CE, one of the oldest monasteries in existence
• •Perched atop Mount Maqlub at 1,100 meters elevation
• •Belongs to the Syriac Orthodox Church
• •Houses rare ancient manuscripts and religious texts
• •Survived threats from ISIS in 2014

Location

Coordinates: 36.4833, 43.3667