http://www.paradiseturkey.org/virgin-mary-monastery-sumela-monastery/ Discover Turkey Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:40:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 http://www.paradiseturkey.org/virgin-mary-monastery-sumela-monastery/#comment-236 Virgin Mary Monastery (Sumela Monastery) | Blue Cruise in Turkey Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:03:56 +0000 http://www.paradiseturkey.org/virgin-mary-monastery-sumela-monastery/#comment-236 [...] Virgin Mary Monastery (Sumela Monastery) The Sumela Monastery, which stands at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altındere valley in the region of Maçka in Trabzon Province, is popularly known as “Meryem Ana” (The Virgin Mary). The building complex is nearly 300 metres high and was built following the tradition of monasteries that were located outside the cities in forest near caves and sources of water. The Monastery, founded in honour of the Virgin Mary, took the name of “Sumela” which derives from “Melas”, meaning black. Although it is thought that it has taken this name from the mountains, the Karadağlar (Black Mountains), on which stands, it could also be associated with the black colour of the icon of the Virgin Mary. According to tradition, the Monastery was founded by two priests called Barnabas and Sophronius who came from Athens during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (AD 375 - 395). Then, in the 6th century, it was restored by the General Belisarius at the behest Emperor Justinian who wanted it to be enlarged and restored. [...] […] Virgin Mary Monastery (Sumela Monastery) The Sumela Monastery, which stands at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altındere valley in the region of Maçka in Trabzon Province, is popularly known as “Meryem Ana” (The Virgin Mary). The building complex is nearly 300 metres high and was built following the tradition of monasteries that were located outside the cities in forest near caves and sources of water. The Monastery, founded in honour of the Virgin Mary, took the name of “Sumela” which derives from “Melas”, meaning black. Although it is thought that it has taken this name from the mountains, the Karadağlar (Black Mountains), on which stands, it could also be associated with the black colour of the icon of the Virgin Mary. According to tradition, the Monastery was founded by two priests called Barnabas and Sophronius who came from Athens during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (AD 375 - 395). Then, in the 6th century, it was restored by the General Belisarius at the behest Emperor Justinian who wanted it to be enlarged and restored. […]

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