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WELCOME Welcome to the Web Site of the Monastery of St. Anthony - Qozhaya, related to the Lebanese Maronite Order - the Order of Saint Sharbel (Charbel), Saint Rafqa (Rebecca), and the Blessed Neematallah Kassab El-Hardini. According to the oral tradition, St. Anthony (251-356) called "the Great", founder of the monastic life, visited, during his life, his disciples and lived with them for a while in the cave of Qozhaya. For this reason, the cave - dedicated to St. Anthony - is considered miraculous for there have been many miracles witnessed in it. St. Anthony of Qozhaya was known as a "children-giver" to those parents who were less fortunate and could not provide sufficiently for their family. He also has a history of curing those having mental or nerve problems, as well as performing exorcises on those dominated by Satan. The Monastery of St. Anthony - Qozhaya is located in the Valley of Qadisha - the Valley of Saints - in North Lebanon. Its monks and its two hermits continue the tradition by offering their lives and prayers to God. The first printing press in the Middle East (1584) was placed in this Monastery which still has the Scepter of St Louis, the King of France. Recently in December 1998, the Monastery was classified by the UNESCO as worldwide cultural heritage. As you take the virtual tour of this magnificent Monastery and learn of its history, you join thousands of visitors coming from not only across the country, but around the world as well. The Monastery is truly a national center of prayer, of pilgrimage and of tourism. The story of the Monastery is the story of the Christians in Lebanon and in the Middle East, the story of cultural, economical, social and political development in the Lebanese society and in the region. After about 1700 years, the Monastery continues to be a sign of faith and an expression of behavior. On behalf of St. Anthony "the Great" in Qozhaya, and on behalf of the Lebanese Maronite Order, we invite you to come and visit a very special place of peace, of contemplation and, above all, of prayer. Father Antoine Tahan Superior of the Monastery

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