21st November is the feast day of Mor Hananyo (St. Ananias), the Metropolitan of Kfartuta (793-800), in whose name the famous Syrian orthodox Monastery in SE Turkey, which is also known as Kurkuma Dayro or Deir ez-Za`faran monastery, is known. From 1293 until 1932 this monastery was the official seat of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East. This monastery which has produced 21 Patriarch's, 7 Maphriyono's and 111 bishops, have the tombs of 52 Syrian Orthodox Patriarchs. This is one of the most known and ancient structure of Upper Mesopotamia, and the religious center of the Syrian Orthodox Community.
A new Link to the brief history of this monastery with some photos from Hollerweger Hans “Living Cultural Heritage - TURABDIN”, is available at:
http://syriacchristianity.org/chu/SaffronMonastery.htmSyriac orthodox Resources link:
http://sor.cua.edu/ChMon/MardinDKurkmo/index.html
