Saint Elias Cathedral
| Saint Elias Cathedral | |
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Saint Elias Cathedral |
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 Location within Aleppo
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Jdeydeh Area, Farhat Square, Aleppo, Syria |
| Geographic coordinates | 36°12′26″N 37°09′21″E / 36.2071°N 37.1558°ECoordinates: 36°12′26″N 37°09′21″E / 36.2071°N 37.1558°E |
| Affiliation | Maronite Church |
| Region | Aleppo |
| Year consecrated | 1873 |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | active |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Church |
The Saint Elias Cathedral (Arabic: كاتدرائية القدّيِس الياس), is an Eastern Catholic (Maronite) church in Aleppo, Syria, located in the Christian quarter of Jdeydeh. It is named after Elijah the prophet. The church was opened in 1873 and renovated in 1914.
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[edit] Background
The building has two magnificent belfries at the facade, while its marble entrance with yellow columns is situated under the high dome on the east side.
In 1914, during the period of Archbishop Michael Akhras, the dome was renovated and for that purpose, concrete was used in reconstruction works for the first time in the architecture history of Aleppo, with the help of experts from Belgium.[1] In the same period, the chiming clock, which plays Ave Maria every fifteen minutes, has been placed on the tower.
In front of the main gate, the statue of Archbishop and poet Germanos Farhat (1670–1732) has been erected in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his death, and for his efforts in founding the Maronite library, the home of old valuable manuscripts. Since then, the surrounding area of the cathedral is called Farhat square.
[edit] Gallery
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The statue of Saint Elias in the church yard
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The statue of Archbishop Germanos Farhat
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The church at Farhat square
