Mor Gabriel Monastery (Deyrulumur Monastery) The Mor Gabriel Monastery, also known as the Deyrulumur Monastery, is located approximately 23 kilometers southeast of the town of Midyat in Mardin Province. It was established in the year 397 by Mor Shmu'el (Samuel) and his follower Mor Shem'un (Simon). According to legend, Shem'un had a vision in which an angel instructed him to build a place of worship using three stones. When he awoke and visited the site revealed in his dream, he discovered that one of the stones was already there. It was on this very spot that the Mor Gabriel Monastery was constructed by the two saints. Throughout the centuries, the monastery grew into an important spiritual hub, housing over 1000 monks by the 6th century. Generous contributions from Roman emperors like Arcadius, Honorius, Theodosius II, and Anastasius supported its expansion. In the 7th century, the monastery was renamed the Monastery of St. Gabriel by locals, inspired by a nearby cave where Gabriel had lived a revered ascetic life. Sadly, the monastery experienced dark times as well. During the 14th century, 440 monks were massacred by the Mongols. Additionally, in 1991, the remains of monks killed by Timur (Tamerlane) in 1401 were uncovered in caves beneath the monastery. Nestled within beautiful gardens and orchards, Mor Gabriel Monastery was founded to protect the Syriac Orthodox faith, educate the local community, and ordain new monks to carry on its religious traditions. If you have any questions or would like more information about Mor Gabriel Monastery, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply send us a message via Whatsapp. We will reply as promptly as possible.