Saint Mary of the Holy Belt (Um Al Zennar) Cathedral[1] (Arabic: كاتدرائية السيدة العذراء أم الزنار, shortened to كنيسة أم الزنار; Um az-Zinnar) is a historical Syriac OrthodoxcathedralinHoms, Syria. It is the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Homs and Hama.
This is one of the prominent church of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church which is also a Marian Pilgrim Centre. The present structure dates from the mid-nineteenth century, but the site over which the church is built is claimed to have been one of Christian worship since 59 AD. The church once served as the headquarters of the universal church. [2] According to Ross Burns, the church may rest on Byzantine foundations.[3] According to Joseph Nasrallah, the existence of a church dedicated to Mary in Homs is attested as early as 478.[4]
The church contains a venerated Holy Girdle that is supposed to be a section of the belt of Mary, mother of Jesus.[5]
The church was damaged during confrontations between the armed opposition and the security forces in the 2011–2012 Syrian unrest.[6]
In 2012, reportedly confrontations caused extensive damage to the exterior of the church.[7] The church was rebuilt by an extensive effort of the faithful and the Divine Liturgy was celebrated.
