Established in 1927 by the Italian Bishop Farina and encouraged by Latin Patriarch Luigi Barlassina, the monastery was built in response to an earthquake that occurred in the region. The patriarch aimed to honor Mary, mother of Jesus, to protect the Holy Land from similar disasters. Hence, the official name of the church is "Regina Palaestinae" or "Our Lady, Queen of Palestine."
At the head of the monastery stands a statue of Mary, Jesus' mother, with a hand gesture of blessing and protection from disasters. Beneath her appear two hanging mosaic circles with the letters A and M, signifying the beginning of the "Ave Maria" blessing. The statue was made in an Italian artist workshop, based on a model from the monastery of the Holy Dorothea Sisters in Venice. The bronze statue is about 2.5 meters high and was complicated to transport, so it was divided into ten parts and reassembled at the top of the church. Mary's head was originally adorned with a crown of golden stars, but due to concerns about theft and weather damage, the monastery heads decided to remove it. However, today the statue's head is again crowned with stars, this time made of bronze.
Patriarch Barlassina wanted the church walls and ceiling adorned with the first words of the Angelus prayer, "Ave Maria," in multiple languages. Official translations of the prayer were solicited, resulting in 404 versions, 280 of which were selected to be written on the church walls. The Jerusalem artist Mubarak Sa'id painted angels holding ribbons with these words.
The site underwent renovation in 1973, repainting the ceiling in blue and restoring the angel paintings. However, the restoration was incomplete, and some of the multilingual prayers on the ribbons were not finished. The wooden church doors also feature the prayer 56 times in various languages. The church's apse hosts a statue of Mary, illuminated by side windows, and the hall has a statue of an angel holding a fish, an ancient Christian symbol.
Embark on a captivating road journey through the monasteries and wineries of the Judean Hills, starting with the unique Beit Jamal Monastery. Home to the Church of St. Stephen, widely considered the most beautiful and unusual church in the Holy Land, sets the tone for an enriching adventure. Next, go to Mony Winery, an exceptional establishment where Christians and Jews collaborate to produce kosher wine. This interfaith initiative adds depth to the region's viticultural practices.
As you leave Mony, ascend to the panoramic views of the Sorek Valley, a landscape that breathes life into the Biblical tales of Samson and Delilah. Take a moment to soak in the scenery and reflect on the ancient narratives that unfolded in these hills. Finally, end your journey at Flam Winery, a highly professional and well-promoted establishment. Though it leans a bit towards commercialization, it's a fitting conclusion to a day of spiritual and sensory exploration in the Judean Hills.
