Christian-Muslim Paradise – Maalula (Syria). The past and the present

Located 50 km from Damascus in the direction of Lebanon is the magnificent village of Maalula (also spelled Maaloula), Syria. Maalula is the only place in the world that still speaks Aramaic, the language of Jesus. Photo: CONVENT OF ST. THECLA (DEIR MAR TAKLA)/kirikou.com Maalula is a predominantly Christian village with a…

April 16, 20180Comments

ByReligious Tourism

Mor Augin. Syriac Orthodox monastery. Turkey

Mor Augin is a 4th century Syriac Orthodox monastery in the Turkish province of Mardin in the district of Nusaybin in Tur Abdin. It is located about 20 km northeast of Nusaybin and 60 km east of the provincial capital Mardin. North of the monastery Mor Augin are the villages…

April 15, 20180Comments

ByReligious Tourism

Assyrian-Babylonian New Year. Akitu of 6768

The Akitu Festival began with the Sumerians. The word Akitu means “barley” in Akkadian. The Sumerian calendar had two festivals one in the Autumn beginning in the month of Tashritu in celebration of the “sowing of barley,” the other in Spring, beginning in the month of Nisannu celebrating the “cutting of barley.”…

April 1, 20180Comments

ByReligious Tourism