114. Fuḥēs | الفحيص

al-Balqā’ Governorate

Church of Saint George / Maqām / Weli al-Khidhr.

JADIS no. 2215034

MEGA no. 5786

Coordinates: 31°58′52.4″N 35°45′59.9″E

31.9812143, 35.7666296

Plan: single naved Christian church, without apse in the E, three entrances in the N wall, corresponding to them rectangular windows in S wall. The presbytery is raised on a platform with broad steps leading up from the naós. In the N wall small a door opens to an adjacent Sacristy room.

Measurements: unknown

Exterior: unknown.

Interior: unknown.

Building Materials: local limestone, interior walls plastered and whitewashed.

Construction details: The interior is subdivided by pilasters into three bays covered by cross vaults, the presbytery was separated from the naós by an arch.

Preservation: Intact, presently in use as a community museum.

Inscription(s): Above the central door of the N wall is an Arabic relief inscription in a blind lunette, cartouche frame and letters painted in black, on limestone blocks, supported by a lintel with Christian symbols. Inscription on five lines (transcription and translation NAt):

Translation “18 + 82 - On the expense of the Dēr al- Rūm: may His bounty last and in the striving of the Archbishop Irūnūs (Eirenos?) in good reputation, in the name of al-Khidhr Jorjiūs of high respect and honor. Peace be upon on him!”

Date(s): 1882.

Traveler Reports: none known.

Bibliography: unpublished.