SYRIA: RUSIDENTS OF THE TINY SYRIAN TOWN OF MAALOULA CLAIM THIER VILLAGE IS A HOLY LAND BECAUSE THEY STILL SPEAK ARAMIC - THE LANGUAGE OF JESUS CHRIST

Record ID: 276751

  • Title: SYRIA: RUSIDENTS OF THE TINY SYRIAN TOWN OF MAALOULA CLAIM THIER VILLAGE IS A HOLY LAND BECAUSE THEY STILL SPEAK ARAMIC - THE LANGUAGE OF JESUS CHRIST
  • Date: 29th April 2001
  • Summary: MAALOULA, SYRIA (APRIL 29+30, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. PAN MAALOULA VILLAGE 0.08 2. LV CROSS PAINTED ON ROCKS 0.12 3. SLV/LV TRADITIONAL OLD HOUSES (2 SHOTS) 0.22 4. LV TWO MEN WALKING IN STREET, OTHERS ON BALCONY (2 SHOTS) 0.36 5. LV VILLAGERS SITTING OUTSIDE SHOPS 0.41 6. SLV THREE MEN SITTING TOGETHER CHATT
  • Embargoed: 14th May 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MAALOULA, SYRIA
  • Country: Syria
  • Reuters ID: LVAQICY9KNF5FR41POJWEXDHOMN
  • Story Text: Residents of the tiny Syrian town of Maaloula, north of
    Damascus, claim their village is a holy land because they
    still speak Aramic - the language of Jesus Christ.



    Tucked away in a valley, 65 km north of Damascus, the
    tiny Syrian village of Maaloula is famed for being one of the
    very few places the world where Aramic, the language of Jesus
    Christ, is still spoken.

    With its picturesque cluster of houses plastered in pastel
    blue, mauves and yellow cut straight into the cliff, Maaloula
    is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists.

    In the first century A.D Aramic was the spoken language
    in Syria and what was then Palestine. Aramic was the language
    of the Lord's Prayer and the Old Testament's Book of Daniel
    was written in Aramic.

    Village residents claim Maaloula is on of three places in
    the world where Aramic is still spoken. The language is not
    taught at schools but has only survived by being passed on
    at homes from one generation to another.

    Thousands of tourists and Christian pilgrims from around
    the world visit the village every year. Most of them come to
    see the historic St Takla cathderal and the Convent of St.

    Sergious - claimed to be one of the oldest surviving
    churches. Centuries-old icons are displayed at the
    convents.

    But villagers say the tourists spend very little money
    during their stay and so therefore do not help boost the
    village's economy.

    Most of Maaloula's 5,000 population are farmers and
    builders. Almost all the youth emigrate to big cities or
    abroad for work.

    Although there is no evidence Jesus visited Maaloula, its
    people insist their village is a Holy land and therefore
    should have been included in Pope John Paul's visit to Syria
    May 5-8.


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