12:09
Sunday's gospel
Bible of the day
Spiritual news
Prayers
Saint Charbel's calendar
Visitor's directory
Publications
Photo gallery
Video
The Friends of Saint-Charbel
Useful Links
Guest book
Letters from countries
Contact us
Site map
Privacy statement
Download the official Application of the monastery Saint Maron - Sanctuary of Saint Charbel on the App Store
Download the official Application of the monastery Saint Maron - Sanctuary of Saint Charbel on Google Play
Visit our Facebook Page
The spiritual visit
The Tomb Church

Copyright Image

To the side of the museum lies the Saint's tomb in a beautifully arched construction, which has recently been converted into a church, the Tomb Church. The Saint's body was transferred from the public cemetery, which lies behind the square, into caskets of different sizes and shapes. Many tests had been done in order to stop the causes of the sweat and blood secretion phenomenon. On August 7th, 1952, the corpse was laid in the current grave. An iron gate, with a glass pane, was built to separate the visitors from the coffin, which is laid on a cedar wood pedestal, which is also laid on an Italian marble pedestal. Believers stand or kneel before the tomb praying to God and asking the intercession of St Charbel. A visitor speaks out what he/she would never speak anywhere else because St Charbel has become a closer friend to man, and the great interceder to the almighty and loving God.

 
The Monastery Church
Photo gallery
This church is located on the right side of the monastery entrance.Copyright Image
It was built in 1840 and it was named after St Maron.
 
The External Saint Charbel Status
Photo gallery
Copyright ImageAt the monastery entrance stands a bronze statue of St Charbel, which has become a great believers' shrine. Tears were shed along with outpours of diversity of prayers and warm sighs.
 
The first grave of St Charbel
Photo gallery
Copyright ImageBehind the statue lies the first St Charbel grave, from which bright lights shone four months after his death. The saint's body was exhumed for the first time to have it tested after the appearance of sweat and blood exudation
 
The Saint Museum
Photo gallery

Copyright Image

Downstairs, the Saint Museum contains the liturgical clothes which were put on Saint Charbel's corpse, in the many graves in which he was put after his death. They are ruined clothes because of the secretion of sweat and blood from the Saint's corpse. In the Museum, one can also find a great amount of letters coming from many countries worldwide. Other monastic habits and liturgical clothes and various utensils used by the Saint during his life are also displayed in the Museum. There are also ex-voto and other matters offered after miraculous healings and testifying the love of God for humanity through his chosen Saint.

 
Oil and incense
Copyright ImageThe pilgrim can take oil, incense and relics in a place just near the museum downstairs
 
The St Charbel Church
Photo gallery

Copyright ImageAfter the beatification of St Charbel on December 5th, 1965, and with the incredibly increasing number of believers who came to Annaya, the monastery started the construction of a church, named after St Charbel, which can accommodate great multitudes of people. This church was built on the western side of the monastery. The church is round in shape. The altar is located in the center, a symbol of constant renewal of the world. It is located in such a way that those who come to pray can reach it from all directions to receive the Holy Communion, and to meet the living Christ Jesus, who renews them and changes their mortal sacrifices to eternal life. The upper parts of the entrances are of stained glass, depicting incidents and stages from St Charbel's life. This was implemented by the artist Saliba Douaihy, and was restored by Father Abdou Badawi.

 
The Hermitage
Photo gallery
Copyright ImageThe spiritual visit ends in the places where St Charbel lived by visiting the hermitage in which his life ended. This hermitage is located on a hill, and it is a fifteen-minute walk from the monastery, but one can arrive at its lower square by car. Saint Charbel had spent the last 23 years of his life and died there. Inside it lies the St Peter and Paul church and the cells of the hermits one of which is Saint Charbel's. One cell contains a small museum where utensils and books used by the Saint are displayed. The hermitage is a place where silence dominates and praying is enjoyed, especially because it inspires great tranquillity. To add to this inspiration, this place overlooks breathtaking natural scenery.
 
The Way of the Saints
Photo gallery
Copyright ImageBetween the monastery and the hermitage lies the way which was afterwards called "The Way of the Saints". The pilgrim starts it at the monastery square up to the hill and then down to the main road, finally up to the hermitage. The pilgrim can pray along his way and discover the incredible nice landscape from up on the hill. God loved the nature of this area, which has enchanting beauty.