Welcome to the site of Mejdlaya.
Mejdlaya is a village located in the north of Lebanon, 91 km far from Beirut and with an altitude of 150m.
The name comes from the word Magdalaya having the plural form of Magdalye: in attribution to the inhabitants of El Majdal, from Suriac Magdla meaning the high place suitable for observation and guarding.
Mejdlaya
From a first center, related to the sea in Roowayss Hill, whose lands have earthy edges, and whose strategic role was important through history, (it was also known for cultivation and sailing), to a second center related to the land next to Ooyoon Mejdlaya, to the archeological buildings of the monastery (a large part of which is still standing) that were the winter location in addition to the archeological convent of Mar Doomit that was the location during summer time.
Construction spread first around the Dar, then around Fawar Mejdlaya and third on the highway that links Kobbeh to Zgharta were Harat jdeadeh (the new quarter) is located. So the parishes of Mar Doomit, Fawar and Saint John the Baptist, Harat jdeadeh were cast off the parish of Al Saydeh(The Lady) in Mejdlaya.
The monastery of Mar Elias was built around the year 1830, then the actual church of Al Saydeh was built in 1880 (many have witnessed copying its architecture) for about 120 persons then. But today, the parish counts more than 3000 subjects… this is why we are preparing maps for a new church which will have room for all the sons of the parish and it will be next to the actual church. Generous donations began pouring into the endowment's box for this goal, may God requite the donors.
Today, father Antoon Bios Beaini serves this parish, helped by father Abboud Gebrael and by the Sub-deacon Simon Dib who is in charge of the fraternity, the heralds and the knights of Mary.
People in this parish are distinguished by their attachment to the old Christian and Lebanese traditions and habits. So you rarely see a marriage getting annulled or a dispute leading to more than raising voices.
Since the beginning of the twentieth century sons of the parish were used to walk daily to the school of Delasalle in Tripoli after being instituted in the school of the parish.
Today, there are 3 mixed schools in Mejdlaya: Al Saydeh high school directed by the maronite sisters of the holy family, the Carmelite high school and the public school.
There are also several establishments in Mejdlaya like Saint Joseph's monastery for the Lazarethan fathers, the hospital of Dr Youssef Rehban and an infirmary.
In addition to the knights, the heralds, and the fraternity, there is the club of youth formed of 4 branches: sportive, cultural, social, and one b
ranch dealing with emigration and also two corals. All of them cooperate with each others and with the municipality.
Everybody participates in rehabilitation sessions to help people developing their talents, these sessions end in seasonal expositions and summer camps.
The most important occasions are Mar Elias' day on the 20th of July and St Mary's day on the 15th of August.
Inhabitants of Mejdlaya had planted mulberry, grapes, beans and vegetables especially during the Turkish colonization then they shifted to planting olives and its oil remained famous until 1975 when construction began replacing green spaces and the production stopped so the people began working as employees, or in handicraft jobs. Lately a small number began working in commerce to gain his living.
Immigration movements headed first to America, Africa and then to Australia and the Arab countries. This made the number of Lebanese immigrants surpass the number of Lebanese living in Lebanon.
In the parish a daily mass takes place, in the afternoon during the academic year and in the morning during the summer vacation. On Sundays and holydays, 3 masses are celebrated: at 7:30 am, at 9:00 am, and at 10:30 am in the parish church and one at 12 noon in Dr Youssef Rehban's hospital.
