The Early Churches

The earliest churches in Ehden are those built over the site of a pagan temple. 

A large pagan temple was built by Slokos a commander in Alexander the Great’s army and raised a statue of " The god of Sun" near by. The temple and statute were destroyed in 60 BC by the Roman Commander Pompey. Following their conversion to Christianity the people of Ehden built from the stones of the destroyed temple five churches over the temple precincts as a symbol of Christianity’s victory over paganism.

The churches from North to South are:

1-St Peter's.

2- St John’s. The church no longer exists but was located near the statue of Patriarch Stephane Doueihi.

3- St Chaleh's. Originally called St Zakhia's meaning in Syriac "Victor". This church was near the corner above St Mama's. The building no longer exists.

4- Mar Mama church. The oldest Maronite church in Lebanon.

5- St Estephan's. Named after the first Christian martyr. This Church, which no longer exists, was located a few metres where the present Mar Mama church stands.

The area surrounding St Peter's church was originally the large public square of the pagan temple where the ancient Ehdenians used to meet during feasts and religious ceremonies. They used to sacrifice their eldest sons to their then pagan god for the well being of their families and people, a tradition inherited from ancient Semite times (Abraham and his son lshak). The blood of those sacrificed used to accumulate in the temple square and then streamed through a stone canal to the where the five churches were built. There was a well, which collected the blood near where St Chaleh’s  church stood.