SW News: There is good news from war-ravaged Syria. An ancient monastery desecrated and destroyed by Islamic State extremists in 2016 is on the path of recovery. It could soon be opened for worship.

The ancient monastery of Mar Elian on the suburbs of the city of Al Quaryatayn is being rebuilt, said Fr Jacques Mourad, a monk of the community of Deir Mar Musa, who was abducted by the Islamic State militants on May 21, 2015, and was kept in captivity for long months along with more than 150 Christians of Quaryatayn. The monastery is being restored because of the agreement between the Syrian Catholic archieparchy of Homs, Hama and Nabk and the monastic community of Mar Musa.

Fr Mourad has exhorted believers to pray so that they discern the will of God for the future of this significant area in Syria.  As part of the restoration initiative, the vineyards and olive groves on the land around the monastery will be replanted and surrounding walls and gates will be rebuilt. Christians who fled the area will be invited to return and help will be provided to rebuild their houses and replant their crops. After this initial phase, the actual rebuilding of the monastery and its attached church will be undertaken.

Archeological activities will be done around the tomb of St Elian to restore it to its pristine form. The monastery dates back to the fifth century and it was affiliated with the community of Deir Mar Musa. Though surrounded by Muslims, the community flourished. After Fr Mourad was kidnapped by the Islamic State militants, they overran the area and desecrated the monastery. They razed the old sanctuary and bombed and torched the church. The saint’s tomb was destroyed and his relics were scattered around. However, the sacred relics were collected and taken to safe custody in Homs after the militants were defeated.

At present, the area is home to less than 10,000 Muslims and the number of Christians is a trifle 26. The return of Christians to the Nineveh Plain in Iraq is inspiring Christians who fled Syria to return and begin life anew. Once the church is fully restored, the relics will be brought back and enshrined in the sanctuary once again.