St. Ananias the hermit

St. Ananias the hermit

August 26th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Ananias the Hermit +816 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Hananyo was the Metropolitan of Kfartuta. He was originally from the Dayro d-Mor Mattai Nineveh, he was appointed by the thrice blessed late HH Patriarch Quryaqos of Takrit, of blessed memory . He was instrumental in renovating the buildings of what is known as the Saffron Monastery (Kurkmo Dayro) after a period of decline due to damage inflicted by the Persians. The Monastery eventually became dedicated in his honour as Dayro d-Mor Hananyo. St. Ananias lived a pious life, always full of joy & displaying great affection to the faithful, ever thankful to God. After completing the work of the Monastery, Mor Hananyo finally entered the abode of the saints in 816AD. The Monastery of Mor Hananyo, also known as Kurkmo Dayro (in Syriac) or Deir ez-Za`faran (in Arabic) meaning the "Saffron Monastery," is situated some five kilometers east of Mardin (in South eastern Turkey), in a shallow basin half-way up the side of the mountain ridge. This is one of the most famous & ancient structures of Upper Mesopotamia, & a prominent religious center of the Süryani Kadim (Syriac Orthodox Community). The origin of this imposing monastery goes back to the 5th century; mosaics remaining from that period are still present. It was originally built by Mor Sleymun (Solomon) in 493AD, but it suffered major damage at the hands of Persians prior to the repair work ordered by Mor Hananyo. From 1160 until 1932 it was the official seat of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East. Many scholars of the Church came from Saffron Monastery. Oh Mor Hananyo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. To know more about Dayro d-Mor Hananyo: https://goo.gl/TEwZaz Official website of Saffron Monastery: https://goo.gl/rMCMZp