Mansourieh
Encyclopedia
Mansourieh, (also el-Mansourieh, Mansouriyeh, Mansouriyet el-Matn) is a village in the Matn District
of the Mount Lebanon Governorate
, Lebanon
.
, on a hilltop overseeing the capital, lies Mansourieh the gateway to Northern Matn
.
Mansourieh consists of the village, seated on top of a ridge, bordered to the south and southwest by a river, the Beirut River
and to the north by the Mar Roukouz
(St. Roches) ravine.
Upwards to the east Mansourieh merges with Ain Saadeh
and Monte Verde
, and slopes downhill westwards to Mkalles
and Sin el-Fil
.
Across the river to the southwest lies the Hazmieh
town, part of the Baabda district
.
Daychounieh
covers the southeastern side, facing Baabda
and Louaize
.
Mansourieh is 16 km to the Capital (Beirut
), 16 km to the Province Administrative Center (Baabda
) and 12 km to the Caza Administrative Center (Jdeideh
).
Mansourieh slopes upwards from an elevation of approx. 200m to reach its highest at around 350m.
Until the early nineties of the last century, Mansourieh was mostly a rural area. Plains along the banks of the Beirut River
were cultivated with citrus orchards. Olive groves were traditionally grown in more arid areas.
Pine forests covered the southeastern slopes. Vineyards and fig trees, along with other Mediterranean cultivars, completed the landscape.
Due to intensive urbanization since the second half of the last century, lots of green areas have been replaced by residential and commercial buildings.
Few green areas remain, mainly along the river bank.
Mansourieh lies on the main road running from Beirut
through Sin el-Fil
and Mkalles
, winding up the mountain to reach Baabdat
, Bikfaya
and Upper Matn.
The 'Ras el-Matn
' road connects Northern Matn
to Southern Matn
villages, starting from Monte Verde
.
Beirut River
flows east to west from Lebanon’s mountains passing south of Mansourieh to the Mediterranean Sea
.
The River is crossed by a dam locally called 'Jisr es-Sid' (Bridge of the Dam) built during the French mandate.
With the dam, part of the river water is diverted to irrigate the Hadath
and Kfarshima
coastal planes.
A bridge on top of the dam links Mansourieh to Hazmieh
's Mar Takla and Mar Roukouz neighborhoods.
Mansourieh municipality administers the industrialized Mkalles
zone and the Daychounieh
village.
Residences number approximately 4,500
.
In addition to the institutions found within village limit, several others are located a few kilometers around:
Located in the secluded river valley between Mansourieh and Hazmieh
are the remains of a little known Roman aqueduct.
During the Roman period, with the expanding urbanization of Beirut
, the demand for running water outgrew the capacity of the existing wells and springs.
The solution was to get water from one of the springs located along the Beirut River.
The nearest spring was the Daychounieh
source, situated 20 km southeast of Beirut.
The Roman architects built a water channel to convey this water across the Beirut River
and transport it onwards to Beirut
.
It was built over an arched, bridge-like structure known today as 'Qanater es-Sett Zubaida' (The Arches of Mistress Zubaida)
.
The aqueduct consisted of a series of arches of which only a small number remains on the sides of the river
.
It was built in 273 AD, during the reign of Roman emperor Aurelian
and was also used as a way station for the Roman military in Lebanon
.
The name Zubaida can be identified with the famous al-Zabba'/Bat-Zabbai/Zenobia
of Palmyra
, who may have built it.
It can also be associated with Princess Zubaida, wife of caliph Haroun ar-Rashid.
Curiously, another Roman aqueduct on the Nahr Ibrahim (Adonis river) bears the same name.
and other Christian
and Muslim
denominations.
.
He finally settled near the river at the southern edge of modern day Mansourieh.
Stories have it that Hanna 'Hawwa' el-Hajj, was son to a family of seven brothers and a sister named Hawwa (Arabic for Eve
), hence the surname.
The whole family, Christian by denomination, worked at a flour mill owned by a Muslim Emir.
A dispute broke out between the Hajj family and the Emir, which led to the Emir’s murder and the banishment of the Hajj family. Some of the family members escaped to Jbeil and later moved to other villages.
Little is known of Hanna, but his journey and dwellings in different places (Jbeil, Antelias
, Achrafieh
, Chiyah), proves him an expedient man willing to fight for his rights and possessions.
Quarrels with local inhabitants forced him to change places, finally settling in the Zireh-Daychounieh
area south of Mansourieh.
At the time, the land belonged to Druze
families, mainly the Badghan clan.
They hired labor to cultivate and care for their livestock.
Hanna worked for those families in exchange for land.
In Zireh Hanna built a small church, erect to this day although disused, known as Mar Gergis (Saint George), where he was eventually buried.
Hanna had two sons Youssef and Moussa.
In those days, the entire area was under control of the Abi Lamaa feudal Emirs. Stories tell of a day when, on their way to Mtein village, some of the Emir men were caught in severe weather, forcing them to spend the night at Hanna's.
Overwhelmed by their host's generosity they related the episode to the Emir who, somewhat envious, decided to get rid of Hanna and dispatched his troops to that effect.
Hanna, sensing trouble, greeted them with the same hospitality, leading to a reconciliation with the Emir.
Youssef and Moussa inherited their father’s competence, generosity and cunning, strengthening the relation with the Emir.
The Emir summoned the two brothers and asked them to work his land instead.
They accepted and moved to uptown Mansourieh, closer to the Emir whereabouts.
Married, they lived in what is known to this day as the 'Harah' in the heart of the village.
.
The father, a righteous man, was known to protect Christians from persecutions.
His antagonists retaliated against the children after their father’s demise.
As a result the family of four children, Trad, Hamouch, Malek and Melki scattered to different locations around Lebanon.
The family first moved to Ain el-Qabou near Baskinta
, Trad spent winters in Beirut
, Hamouch in Mansourieh where he eventually settled.
Malek later moved to Baabdat
and Melki to the North
.
In subsequent generations the Hajj family acquired the lands in the middle and lower parts of Mansourieh, Hamouch family dwelt in the upper parts of the village.
Matn District
Matn , sometimes spelled Metn, is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, east of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
of the Mount Lebanon Governorate
Mount Lebanon Governorate
Mount Lebanon is one of the Governorates of Lebanon. Its capital is Baabda. The overwhelming majority of its population is Maronites, Greek Orthodox, and Melkite Greek Catholic Christians...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
.
Overview
About 10 km east of BeirutBeirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, on a hilltop overseeing the capital, lies Mansourieh the gateway to Northern Matn
Matn District
Matn , sometimes spelled Metn, is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, east of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
.
Etymology
The name originates from the (translit. Manṣūr) meaning victorious, presumably dating back to a battle between the Crusaders and the Arabs in which the latter emerged victorious.Geography
Beirut River
Beirut River is a river in Lebanon. The river runs east to west, then curves north, separating the city of Beirut from its eastern suburbs, primarily Bourj Hammoud and Sin el Fil. According to popular legend, St...
and to the north by the Mar Roukouz
Mar Roukouz
Mar Roukouz is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon....
(St. Roches) ravine.
Upwards to the east Mansourieh merges with Ain Saadeh
Ain Saadeh
Ain Saadeh is suburb located in the pine-forested hills, northeast of the capital Beirut in Lebanon.-Demography:Ain Saade is a traditional Christian village located in the picturesque of the mountains of Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with some 10,000 population and 2,000 voters...
and Monte Verde
Beit Mery
Beit Mery is a Lebanese town overlooking the capital Beirut. The town has been a summer mountain resort since the times of the Phoenicians and later the Romans Romans The name derives from Aramaic and it means "The house of my Lord or Master"...
, and slopes downhill westwards to Mkalles
Mkalles
Mkalles is a town in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Mkalles is administered by Mansourieh municipality....
and Sin el-Fil
Sin el Fil
-Etymology:The name literally translates "tooth" of "the elephant" . Being geographically closer to the ancient city of Antioch and far remote from natural elephant habitat, it is believed that the town name may have been a derogation of Saint Theophilus of Antioch.-Geography:With a rich red soil...
.
Across the river to the southwest lies the Hazmieh
Hazmiyeh
Hazmiyeh is a town in Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, and a suburb of Beirut....
town, part of the Baabda district
Baabda District
Baabda District , sometimes spelled B'abda, is a district in Mount Lebanon, Lebanon, to the south and east of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
.
Daychounieh
Daychounieh
Daychounieh is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Daychounieh is administered by Mansourieh municipality.-Geography :...
covers the southeastern side, facing Baabda
Baabda
Baabda is the capital city of Baabda District as well as the capital of Mount Lebanon Governorate, western Lebanon. Baabda was the capital city of the autonomous Ottoman Mount Lebanon....
and Louaize
.
Mansourieh is 16 km to the Capital (Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
), 16 km to the Province Administrative Center (Baabda
Baabda
Baabda is the capital city of Baabda District as well as the capital of Mount Lebanon Governorate, western Lebanon. Baabda was the capital city of the autonomous Ottoman Mount Lebanon....
) and 12 km to the Caza Administrative Center (Jdeideh
Jdeideh
Jdeideh , , is a coastal municipality and the administrative capital of the Matn District in the Mount Lebanon Governorate....
).
Mansourieh slopes upwards from an elevation of approx. 200m to reach its highest at around 350m.
Until the early nineties of the last century, Mansourieh was mostly a rural area. Plains along the banks of the Beirut River
Beirut River
Beirut River is a river in Lebanon. The river runs east to west, then curves north, separating the city of Beirut from its eastern suburbs, primarily Bourj Hammoud and Sin el Fil. According to popular legend, St...
were cultivated with citrus orchards. Olive groves were traditionally grown in more arid areas.
Pine forests covered the southeastern slopes. Vineyards and fig trees, along with other Mediterranean cultivars, completed the landscape.
Due to intensive urbanization since the second half of the last century, lots of green areas have been replaced by residential and commercial buildings.
Few green areas remain, mainly along the river bank.
Mansourieh lies on the main road running from Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
through Sin el-Fil
Sin el Fil
-Etymology:The name literally translates "tooth" of "the elephant" . Being geographically closer to the ancient city of Antioch and far remote from natural elephant habitat, it is believed that the town name may have been a derogation of Saint Theophilus of Antioch.-Geography:With a rich red soil...
and Mkalles
Mkalles
Mkalles is a town in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Mkalles is administered by Mansourieh municipality....
, winding up the mountain to reach Baabdat
Baabdat
Baabdat is a town located in the Matn District of Mount Lebanon, 22 km from Beirut at an altitude ranging between 800 to 1050 meters above sea level. The lush pine forests that surround the town make it a very popular summer resort for those escaping the busy coastal cities of Lebanon,...
, Bikfaya
Bikfaya
Bikfaya is a town in the Matn District region of Mount Lebanon. Its stone houses with red-tiled roofs resting amidst pine and oak forests make Bikfaya one of the most sought-after suburbs of Beirut and one of Lebanon's most popular summer resorts.-Culture:...
and Upper Matn.
The 'Ras el-Matn
Ras el Matn
Ras el Matn or or : a Lebanese town and municipality in Qadaa Baabda of Mount Lebanon Governorate stretching over 1300 hectares . The town has a population of nearly 10,000 inhabitants who are Druze and Orthodox Christians.-Etymology:The name literally translates "top" of "the shoulder"...
' road connects Northern Matn
Matn District
Matn , sometimes spelled Metn, is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, east of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
to Southern Matn
Baabda District
Baabda District , sometimes spelled B'abda, is a district in Mount Lebanon, Lebanon, to the south and east of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
villages, starting from Monte Verde
Beit Mery
Beit Mery is a Lebanese town overlooking the capital Beirut. The town has been a summer mountain resort since the times of the Phoenicians and later the Romans Romans The name derives from Aramaic and it means "The house of my Lord or Master"...
.
Beirut River
Beirut River
Beirut River is a river in Lebanon. The river runs east to west, then curves north, separating the city of Beirut from its eastern suburbs, primarily Bourj Hammoud and Sin el Fil. According to popular legend, St...
flows east to west from Lebanon’s mountains passing south of Mansourieh to the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
.
The River is crossed by a dam locally called 'Jisr es-Sid' (Bridge of the Dam) built during the French mandate.
With the dam, part of the river water is diverted to irrigate the Hadath
Hadath El Jebbeh
Hadath El Jebbeh , is a town located in the Bsharri District in the North Governorate of Lebanon. It is situated in the Valley of Qadisha. The population is Christian Maronite.-Etymology:Hadath is the name of three localities in Lebanon...
and Kfarshima
Kfarshima
Kfarshima is a town in the Baabda District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut. Kfarshima is the birthplace of the composer and musician, Philemon Wehbi and the singers Melhem Barakat and Majida El Roumi. Also the Birthplace of the Philosopher Shibli Shmayyel...
coastal planes.
A bridge on top of the dam links Mansourieh to Hazmieh
Hazmiyeh
Hazmiyeh is a town in Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, and a suburb of Beirut....
's Mar Takla and Mar Roukouz neighborhoods.
Mansourieh municipality administers the industrialized Mkalles
Mkalles
Mkalles is a town in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Mkalles is administered by Mansourieh municipality....
zone and the Daychounieh
Daychounieh
Daychounieh is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Daychounieh is administered by Mansourieh municipality.-Geography :...
village.
Demographics
As of 2009, Mansourieh houses a population of approx. 17,000 of whom 1,445 are voters and 2,254 native residents.Residences number approximately 4,500
.
Education
Mansourieh is home to the following educational institutions:- Public Intermediate School for Boys & Girls
- Eastwood CollegeEastwood College' is a private school in Lebanon. It operates two campuses on the outskirts of Beirut. The first campus, which opened in 1973, is located in Kafarshima, the second in Mansourieh. The schools Motto is "Children, our Purpose and our Future".-History:...
EWC
- Maximus Fifth School
- Arab Baptist Theological Seminary http://www.abtslebanon.org/
- Lebanese UniversityLebanese UniversityThe Lebanese University is the only public institution for higher learning in Lebanon. Founded in 1951, it has 17 faculties as of 2006 and serves various cultural, religious, and social groups of students and teachers....
, Literature http://www.ul.edu.lb/
In addition to the institutions found within village limit, several others are located a few kilometers around:
- Collège des Soeurs des Saints-Coeurs http://www.ainnajm.sscc.edu.lb/ (Ain NajemAin SaadehAin Saadeh is suburb located in the pine-forested hills, northeast of the capital Beirut in Lebanon.-Demography:Ain Saade is a traditional Christian village located in the picturesque of the mountains of Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with some 10,000 population and 2,000 voters...
)
- Collège des Soeurs du Rosaire http://www.rosaire.edu.lb/ (MontazahAin SaadehAin Saadeh is suburb located in the pine-forested hills, northeast of the capital Beirut in Lebanon.-Demography:Ain Saade is a traditional Christian village located in the picturesque of the mountains of Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with some 10,000 population and 2,000 voters...
)
- Al-Kafaàt Foundation, Catering School http://www.al-kafaat.org/cateringschool.html (MontazahAin SaadehAin Saadeh is suburb located in the pine-forested hills, northeast of the capital Beirut in Lebanon.-Demography:Ain Saade is a traditional Christian village located in the picturesque of the mountains of Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with some 10,000 population and 2,000 voters...
)
- Saint Martinos School (Monte VerdeBeit MeryBeit Mery is a Lebanese town overlooking the capital Beirut. The town has been a summer mountain resort since the times of the Phoenicians and later the Romans Romans The name derives from Aramaic and it means "The house of my Lord or Master"...
)
- Université Saint Joseph http://www.usj.edu.lb/en/index.html (Mar RoukouzMar RoukouzMar Roukouz is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon....
)
- Sagesse High School, Mary Mother of WisdomSagesse High SchoolSagesse High School is a private, Catholic co-educational, day and boarding school located in the suburb of Ain Saadeh, Matn District, Lebanon...
http://www.sagessehs.edu.lb/ (Ain SaadehAin SaadehAin Saadeh is suburb located in the pine-forested hills, northeast of the capital Beirut in Lebanon.-Demography:Ain Saade is a traditional Christian village located in the picturesque of the mountains of Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with some 10,000 population and 2,000 voters...
)
- Collège des Frères Mont La Salle http://www.montlasalle.edu.lb/ (Ain SaadehAin SaadehAin Saadeh is suburb located in the pine-forested hills, northeast of the capital Beirut in Lebanon.-Demography:Ain Saade is a traditional Christian village located in the picturesque of the mountains of Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with some 10,000 population and 2,000 voters...
)
- Collège de la Sainte Famille http://www.csff.edu.lb/ (FanarFanar (Matn)Fanar is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. situated in the heart of lebanon , at 7 km from Beirut-Geography:Fanar is 8 km to the Capital .Elevation is approx. 250m above sea level....
)
- Lebanese UniversityLebanese UniversityThe Lebanese University is the only public institution for higher learning in Lebanon. Founded in 1951, it has 17 faculties as of 2006 and serves various cultural, religious, and social groups of students and teachers....
, Human Sciences http://www.ul.edu.lb/ (FanarFanar (Matn)Fanar is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. situated in the heart of lebanon , at 7 km from Beirut-Geography:Fanar is 8 km to the Capital .Elevation is approx. 250m above sea level....
)
- Collège des Soeurs Antonines http://www.cmdsa.edu.lb/ (RoumiehRoumiehRoumieh is a village north-east of Beirut in Lebanon. Surrounded by pine-forested hills, Roumieh is a 5/10-minute drive from the coast. Roumieh is known as a pleasant, picturesque small mountain town with many gardens.-Public institutions:...
)
- Lebanese UniversityLebanese UniversityThe Lebanese University is the only public institution for higher learning in Lebanon. Founded in 1951, it has 17 faculties as of 2006 and serves various cultural, religious, and social groups of students and teachers....
, Engineering http://www.facultedegenie.net/english/genie-e.htm (RoumiehRoumiehRoumieh is a village north-east of Beirut in Lebanon. Surrounded by pine-forested hills, Roumieh is a 5/10-minute drive from the coast. Roumieh is known as a pleasant, picturesque small mountain town with many gardens.-Public institutions:...
)
Medical Institutions
- Hospital Beit Al Ajouz (Mansourieh)
- Bellevue Medical Center http://www.bmchcs.com/ (Mansourieh)
Archaeological Sites
Hazmiyeh
Hazmiyeh is a town in Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, and a suburb of Beirut....
are the remains of a little known Roman aqueduct.
During the Roman period, with the expanding urbanization of Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, the demand for running water outgrew the capacity of the existing wells and springs.
The solution was to get water from one of the springs located along the Beirut River.
The nearest spring was the Daychounieh
Daychounieh
Daychounieh is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Daychounieh is administered by Mansourieh municipality.-Geography :...
source, situated 20 km southeast of Beirut.
The Roman architects built a water channel to convey this water across the Beirut River
Beirut River
Beirut River is a river in Lebanon. The river runs east to west, then curves north, separating the city of Beirut from its eastern suburbs, primarily Bourj Hammoud and Sin el Fil. According to popular legend, St...
and transport it onwards to Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
.
It was built over an arched, bridge-like structure known today as 'Qanater es-Sett Zubaida' (The Arches of Mistress Zubaida)
.
The aqueduct consisted of a series of arches of which only a small number remains on the sides of the river
.
It was built in 273 AD, during the reign of Roman emperor Aurelian
Aurelian
Aurelian , was Roman Emperor from 270 to 275. During his reign, he defeated the Alamanni after a devastating war. He also defeated the Goths, Vandals, Juthungi, Sarmatians, and Carpi. Aurelian restored the Empire's eastern provinces after his conquest of the Palmyrene Empire in 273. The following...
and was also used as a way station for the Roman military in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
.
The name Zubaida can be identified with the famous al-Zabba'/Bat-Zabbai/Zenobia
Zenobia
Zenobia was a 3rd-century Queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Roman Syria. She led a famous revolt against the Roman Empire. The second wife of King Septimius Odaenathus, Zenobia became queen of the Palmyrene Empire following Odaenathus' death in 267...
of Palmyra
Palmyrene Empire
The Palmyrene Empire was a splinter empire, that broke off of the Roman Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century. It encompassed the Roman provinces of Syria Palaestina, Egypt and large parts of Asia Minor....
, who may have built it.
It can also be associated with Princess Zubaida, wife of caliph Haroun ar-Rashid.
Curiously, another Roman aqueduct on the Nahr Ibrahim (Adonis river) bears the same name.
Religion
Mansourieh native inhabitants are Christians predominantly Greek Orthodox. Population influx in the last 20 years diversified the religious panorama to include MaronitesMaronites
Maronites , is an ethnoreligious group in the Middle East that have been historically tied with Lebanon. They derive their name from the Syriac saint Mar Maron whose followers moved to Mount Lebanon from northern Syria establishing the Maronite Church....
and other Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
denominations.
Churches
- Mar Elias (Saint Elijah Church) – Greek Orthodox (Mansourieh)
- Miled Es-Saydeh http://www.saydechurch.com/ (Saint Mary Church) – Greek Orthodox (Mansourieh)
- Mar Gergis (Saint GeorgeSaint GeorgeSaint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
Church) – Maronite (DaychouniehDaychouniehDaychounieh is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Daychounieh is administered by Mansourieh municipality.-Geography :...
)
- St. Thérèse http://www.saintetherese.org (Sainte Thérèse Church) – Maronite (Ain SaadehAin SaadehAin Saadeh is suburb located in the pine-forested hills, northeast of the capital Beirut in Lebanon.-Demography:Ain Saade is a traditional Christian village located in the picturesque of the mountains of Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with some 10,000 population and 2,000 voters...
)
- Mar Elias (Saint Elijah Church) – Greek Orthodox (MkallesMkallesMkalles is a town in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Mkalles is administered by Mansourieh municipality....
)
- Mar Elias (Saint Elijah Church) – Maronite (MkallesMkallesMkalles is a town in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Mkalles is administered by Mansourieh municipality....
)
Families
- Hajj (Abdo, Hajj, Issa, Khattar, Khoury, Wakim, Zeidan)
- Hamouch (Abi Khalil, Abi Nassif, Abi Rached, Hamouch, Merhej, Sakr)
- Murr
Hajj Family
The Hajj family history traces back to the 17th century when its ancestor Hanna el-Hajj fled his hometown Beit Mellat, a village in Akkar in the NorthNorth Governorate
North Governorate is one of the governorates of Lebanon. Its capital is Tripoli.-Districts:The North Governorate is divided into districts, or aqdya...
.
He finally settled near the river at the southern edge of modern day Mansourieh.
Stories have it that Hanna 'Hawwa' el-Hajj, was son to a family of seven brothers and a sister named Hawwa (Arabic for Eve
Eve
Eve is the first woman created by God in the Book of Genesis.Eve may also refer to:-People:*Eve , a common given name and surname*Eve , American recording artist and actress-Places:...
), hence the surname.
The whole family, Christian by denomination, worked at a flour mill owned by a Muslim Emir.
A dispute broke out between the Hajj family and the Emir, which led to the Emir’s murder and the banishment of the Hajj family. Some of the family members escaped to Jbeil and later moved to other villages.
Little is known of Hanna, but his journey and dwellings in different places (Jbeil, Antelias
Antelias
Antelias is a town in Lebanon. It is located around 5 km to the north of Beirut. Its inhabitants are mainly Christians and include Armenians , Maronites, Greek Catholics and Greek Orthodox ....
, Achrafieh
Achrafieh
Achrafieh, , is one of the oldest Christian districts of East Beirut, Lebanon.-Overview:It is located on a hill in the eastern part of Beirut alongside the shore. Achrafieh is both a residential and commercial district characterized by narrow winding streets and prestigious large apartment and...
, Chiyah), proves him an expedient man willing to fight for his rights and possessions.
Quarrels with local inhabitants forced him to change places, finally settling in the Zireh-Daychounieh
Daychounieh
Daychounieh is a village in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Daychounieh is administered by Mansourieh municipality.-Geography :...
area south of Mansourieh.
At the time, the land belonged to Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
families, mainly the Badghan clan.
They hired labor to cultivate and care for their livestock.
Hanna worked for those families in exchange for land.
In Zireh Hanna built a small church, erect to this day although disused, known as Mar Gergis (Saint George), where he was eventually buried.
Hanna had two sons Youssef and Moussa.
In those days, the entire area was under control of the Abi Lamaa feudal Emirs. Stories tell of a day when, on their way to Mtein village, some of the Emir men were caught in severe weather, forcing them to spend the night at Hanna's.
Overwhelmed by their host's generosity they related the episode to the Emir who, somewhat envious, decided to get rid of Hanna and dispatched his troops to that effect.
Hanna, sensing trouble, greeted them with the same hospitality, leading to a reconciliation with the Emir.
Youssef and Moussa inherited their father’s competence, generosity and cunning, strengthening the relation with the Emir.
The Emir summoned the two brothers and asked them to work his land instead.
They accepted and moved to uptown Mansourieh, closer to the Emir whereabouts.
Married, they lived in what is known to this day as the 'Harah' in the heart of the village.
Hamouch Family
Stories have it that the 16th century family of Hamouch originated in a small village named Mizlla near Maad in JbeilJbeil District
Byblos /Jbeil is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate , Lebanon, to the northeast of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
.
The father, a righteous man, was known to protect Christians from persecutions.
His antagonists retaliated against the children after their father’s demise.
As a result the family of four children, Trad, Hamouch, Malek and Melki scattered to different locations around Lebanon.
The family first moved to Ain el-Qabou near Baskinta
Baskinta
Baskinta is a Lebanese village situated at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level. It is renowned for its natural beauty and moderate climate. It is the birth place of Mikhail Naime....
, Trad spent winters in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, Hamouch in Mansourieh where he eventually settled.
Malek later moved to Baabdat
Baabdat
Baabdat is a town located in the Matn District of Mount Lebanon, 22 km from Beirut at an altitude ranging between 800 to 1050 meters above sea level. The lush pine forests that surround the town make it a very popular summer resort for those escaping the busy coastal cities of Lebanon,...
and Melki to the North
North Governorate
North Governorate is one of the governorates of Lebanon. Its capital is Tripoli.-Districts:The North Governorate is divided into districts, or aqdya...
.
In subsequent generations the Hajj family acquired the lands in the middle and lower parts of Mansourieh, Hamouch family dwelt in the upper parts of the village.