The church looked quite simple with a very smal door of about 4 feet high. Being mindful of not getting my head knocked off carefully went inside the main door. The main door led me to a open courtyard like thing with small rooms on all sides. I followed a sign which said " church de le" I went inside and found a big group of tourists sitting there. I saw a lady explaining about the church to a English man. She did not seem to be a nun as she was dresseed normally Tshirt and Jeans. The lady finished chatting with the guy and walked towards me. She volunteered to tell me about the story of that church. To my surprise she was speaking English very fluently. The lady explained that the church was supposed to be built between 275 - 325 AD. In 325 AD in an international meeting of church authorities it was decreed that all the churches should have square shape alatar. However this church has a Semi Circular altar and so was believed to be built before 325 AD. The builiders of the church adapted the earlier tradition of Roman pagan temples. The lady added that even carbon dating of the wood samples in the church ceilings have revelated that the wood belongs to about 2000 years old.It is a old syrian technique of having wood embedded into the stone walls and ceilings. The lady explained about a few paintings which were kept there in the church. She said that all the paintings were made in 1800 by a famous painter. She showed one specific potrait which was supposed to be custom made for the church as in that Jesus and his disciples are shown sitting around a semi circular altar with the legs of Jesus placed on a pedestal. This painting was stolen many times before but have curiously returned back all the times.
The church has got 3 chambers....one dedicated to virgin Mary,,, dedicated to saints surge and barcass...Dedicated to two other saints. The lady then explained that in Malula they still speak aramic, the language supposed to be spoken by Jesus himself. She asked my permission and then prayed for me in Aramic. The only word which sounded familar in the whole thing was "AMEN' which came in the last. She also directed me to visit the local museum and taste the wine there.
I followed the directions of the lady and went into the museum. It was a small room with some curious artefacts and some maps. It also had some souveniers for sale. it was more a souvenier shop rather than a muesuem. I skimmed through the articles available and purchased a chart explaining about the orgins of script in syria and a book at Sadnaya. I was greeted by a fellow traveller there. we exchanged a few greetings and she wondered that I am from India. The lady was from Uk who is here in syria for learning Arabic.
By the time I came out I realised that it was 2 PM and my hungry stomach was already screaming for food. Luckily Osma was thoughtful enough and ordered for PIZZA's for both of us A veg Pizza for you of course exclaimed Osama. I found out that they were planning to put Mushroom in the Pizza. I went there at the right time and instructed them to make my favourite plain Cheese Pizza. The Pizza I had was "Ultra-thin" crust which was cut into small squares which made it very easy to eat. Knowing my fetish for spicy food the owner of the cafe got some special pepper which they considered very spicy. The flavour was good and I loaded lots of it with each small piece much to the astonishment of Osama and the Owner. The dinner was quite delicious and affordable.(200 SP for two Pizza's and Softdrinks) Osama paid the bill himself and said that it was a treat from his side.
Quite satisfied with the Visit, i walked back to the Cab and Osama drove me back to Damascus. Since there was enoguh time still I asked Osama to drop me at the National Mueseum of Damascus
Day Out still Continues....Part III final.
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