Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ψ 24
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We were now entering what seemed to be a mosque-free region - there were none for quite
a distance, although we were regularly moving through small towns and villages where they
would typically feature.
There was a form of pine along both sides of the road. It was noticeable that those on one
side were leaning over due to the prevailing wind and those on the other side were standing
straight up without a lean. A perfect example of how a windbreak protects a given area on
the down wind side.
The landscape became less fertile and more desert-like, with soft brown hills that began to
show exposed caps of hard rock. This type of countryside continued the further south we
travelled and was characteristic of the country around Maloula and Seidnayya a couple of
Christian enclaves we were to visit before reaching Damascus.
Maloula, with a population of about 2,000, is an Aramean-Syriac dominated town located
about 50 kilometres northeast of Damascus. With two nearby towns, it is apparently the only
place where the western dialect of Aramaic is still spoken and was as spoken by Jesus Christ.
The countryside appeared to be most unforgiving, although there were a number of olive
trees. The town has two important monasteries: Mar Sarkis and Mar Taqla. The Mar Sarkis
monastery was built in the 4
th
Century on the remains of a pagan temple. It has a simple,
plain appearance and was named after St. Sarkis, a 3
rd
Century Roman soldier who was ex-
ecuted for his Christian beliefs.
This monastery was pretty stark and we were met by a very jolly priest who spoke perfect
English. He said he had a relative living in Melbourne. There were some beautiful icons and
the church retains its original character built into the rock.
A very moden young woman came to the front of the small congregation and said a short
prayer in Aramic. My impression was it comprised a recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
