The oldest Christian site in the United Arab Emirates was formally opened to the public last week.
The church and monastery, which has been informally visited for some years, is believed to be about 1,400-years-old and was discovered in 1992 on Sir Bani Yas Island, about 200 kilometres west of the capital of Abu Dhabi.
Following what was described in reports as “extensive maintenance”, it was formally opened to the public recently at a ceremony attended by dignitaries including the Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and Roman Catholic Bishop Paul Hinder, Vicar Apostolic in the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia.
The complex has been covered to shelter it from the elements and lighting has been installed to allow for night tours.
The complex, said to date from the 7th century AD, is believed to have housed up to 30 Nestorian monks and featured a church, courtyard, dormitories and a kitchen. Located close to the sea, it is believed the monks fished for food. Some of the crosses and other items uncovered in the excavation can be seen in the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Dr Richard Cuttler, archaeologist at the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, told The National that the monks would have led simple lives.
“They burned incense, were solitary and led a life of prayer – it was fairly austere,” he said. “But even we would recognise them as monks from the robes.”
