Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Beirut
The Romanesque Revival Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator is located near the district of Saifi, in Beirut, just off Charles Malek Avenue. The cathedral was preceded by earlier churches at this location in 1860. Funding for the Cathedral was provided by Pope Pius XI in 1928.
In 1950 the church was demolished on the order of Cardinal Aghajatian to be replaced by the Romanesque cathedral. The cathedral was completed by 1959 only to be heavily damaged in the civil war. It was renovated after the end of the war in 1990. Services are held twice on Sundays.
Saint Gregory is the 4th century patron saint of Armenia. He was one of the founders of the Armenian Apostolic Church. His relics, including body parts, are scattered all over the old Roman Empire. His head is somewhere in Armenia. His left hand is in the Echmiadzin Cathedral of Armenia. The right hand is in Antelias, Lebanon.
Saint Elias is popular among Christians, Muslims and Jews. There are nearly three hundred shrines dedicated to him in Lebanon. He is an old time prophet from the 9th century BC who did battle against Baal, the ancient deity of Phoenicia.
The cathedral is within easy walking distance of other religious sites, like Saint Elija Greek Catholic Church, Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Saint Louis Church of the Capuchins, al Omari Mosque, Mohammad al Amin Mosque, and others.
In 1950 the church was demolished on the order of Cardinal Aghajatian to be replaced by the Romanesque cathedral. The cathedral was completed by 1959 only to be heavily damaged in the civil war. It was renovated after the end of the war in 1990. Services are held twice on Sundays.
Saint Gregory is the 4th century patron saint of Armenia. He was one of the founders of the Armenian Apostolic Church. His relics, including body parts, are scattered all over the old Roman Empire. His head is somewhere in Armenia. His left hand is in the Echmiadzin Cathedral of Armenia. The right hand is in Antelias, Lebanon.
Saint Elias is popular among Christians, Muslims and Jews. There are nearly three hundred shrines dedicated to him in Lebanon. He is an old time prophet from the 9th century BC who did battle against Baal, the ancient deity of Phoenicia.
The cathedral is within easy walking distance of other religious sites, like Saint Elija Greek Catholic Church, Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Saint Louis Church of the Capuchins, al Omari Mosque, Mohammad al Amin Mosque, and others.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Beirut. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator on Map
Sight Name: Cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator
Sight Location: Beirut, Lebanon (See walking tours in Beirut)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Beirut, Lebanon (See walking tours in Beirut)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Beirut, Lebanon
Create Your Own Walk in Beirut
Creating your own self-guided walk in Beirut is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Beirut Introduction Walking Tour
How many times can a city die? Beirut, in 5,000 years, has died and come back many times. Archeological digs downtown have revealed Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Crusader and Ottoman remains and signs of influence.
In 140 BC the city was destroyed by Diodotus Tryphon, a king of the Seleucid Empire. His Hellenistic city lies over the Phoenician one. Pompey the Great arrived in 64 BC... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
In 140 BC the city was destroyed by Diodotus Tryphon, a king of the Seleucid Empire. His Hellenistic city lies over the Phoenician one. Pompey the Great arrived in 64 BC... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Seaside Walking Tour
If you wish to unwind or, perhaps, seek some quality time with your family and friends in a completely safe environment, while in Beirut, the local seaside area offers ample opportunities for both. Lined with palm trees, the city's waterfront guarantees a truly joyful experience and is as much fun for watching the Mediterranean, beautiful people and breathing the air as it is for exploring... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles