10 Top Attractions in Khalifan (2024)

4. Saint George Church

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Churches and Cathedrals

Rebeen HakeemMar Gorgis Church: A Testament to History and FaithMar Gorgis Church, undoubtedly one among the "oldest churches in the Erbil region" [1], stands as a beacon of faith and a testament to the rich history of Christianity in the area. Its origins can be traced back to the 9th century, with archaeological excavations unearthing inscribed plaques that have helped to confirm the church's antiquity [2]. These inscriptions, carefully deciphered and interpreted, provide valuable insights into the church's past.A Glimpse into the Past: Unveiling the Church's HistoryOne of the inscriptions, translated from Syriac, reads: "In the year 1127 of Alexander the Great, corresponding to the year 816 of the Greek calendar, during the time of the Orthodox Patriarch Saint Eli - the father of the fathers, the true believer in the right path. The Church of Mar Gorgis was restored by the people of Ankawa. In a time when peace prevailed on earth. It was protected and supported by God, blessed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" [3].Another inscription, discovered in the same location 22 years later on December 18, 2017, states: "(...) the priest Hormuzd, the head of our community, departed this life to the place of great rest on Monday, November 4 ( ...) 925. The Lord of Creatures (by death) remembered him in this Christian village of Ankawa [4]".Reconstruction and Restoration: Preserving the LegacyThe current structure of Mar Gorgis Church has undergone multiple reconstructions and restorations throughout its history, with the earliest phases dating back to the 19th century [5]. Engraved inscriptions in both Arabic and Syriac on marble slabs adorning the northern aisle chronicle the successive renovations and restorations, along with papal and patriarchal attestations [6]. These inscriptions mark significant periods in the church's history:1716 under Mar Elias XI [7]1857, the last major reconstruction, under Pope Pius IX and Patriarch Mar Joseph VI Audo1900-1903

Erbil

55.1km from Khalifan

Popular Attractions in Khalifan (2024)

1. Mar Elia Catholic Church

2. St. John the Baptist Assyrian Church of the East

3. Cathedral of Saint Joseph

4. Saint George Church

5. Mart Shmoni Church

6. Um Al Mauna Church كنيسة أم المعونة

7. Syriac Orthodox Church

8. Christian Missionary Alliance Church

9. Ankawa Christian Park

10. Church of the Queen of Peace

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