| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Younes, A. ¹ , Gharib, Kh. ² & Gabr, M. <sup>2

1</sup> PhD Student Greco-Roman Archaeology dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt & Executive director of Prince Invest group, Lebanon
² Greco-Roman dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt

Abstract:
Church architecture in Lebanon, as in other regions of the Eastern Mediterranean, follows a structured and recognizable liturgical layout. Typically, churches comprise three main sections: the sanctuary, the naves, and the narthex, with occasional local variations. Attached to these spaces are several liturgical annexes serving the needs of clergy and worshippers, often located to the south and/or north of the main body, and sometimes behind the apse. This organization responds to the region’s distinctive topography, characterized by a narrow coastal strip and terraced mountain slopes upon which many churches were erected. During the 5th century, several churches were constructed within or adjacent to former pagan sanctuaries that had previously been avoided, while others, positioned along major routes, attracted travelers and contributed to the development of small towns and new centers of worship. In Lebanon, as in other Eastern regions, the churches broadly conform to a predetermined liturgical scheme, even when constrained by function, available resources, local development, and topography. Externally, their façades express the spiritual organization of the interior through the orientation of the sanctuary, the arrangement of doors, the height and placement of windows, and the use of selected decorative motifs. Even when façades reflect site conditions or financial limitations, they still embody the fundamental purpose of the sacred space through coherent spatial orga-nization. The mosaic floors of Lebanese churches during the Byzantine period (4th-7th centuries CE) constitute crucial archaeological evidence that allows a precise description of their architectural layout. This is particularly evident in the Church of Zahrani, where a mosaic pavement was discovered in 1950 during the construction of the Zahrani refinery on the Tapline installation and later transferred to the Jesuit Park in Ashrafieh. The history of this church dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries. It was built in three main phases and underwent significant modifications in its internal divisions and construction techniques. Based on the preserved inscriptions, the first phase of the church dates to 389-390 CE, while a later major phase is attested in 541 CE. The church com-prises a main nave with two side aisles to the north and south, and a baptistery located on the southern side. The roof is a wooden vault covered with tiles and supported by sandstone walls and marble columns (third phase). The floor is paved with rich and diverse mosaics representing animals, plants, and geometric patterns, comparable to those in other Lebanese coastal churches. Through the re-examination of previous studies, historical descriptions, the preserved mosaics, and the overall layout, it has been possible to attempt a challenging architectural reconstruction that aims to approximate the original appearance of the church with its main spaces and dimensions.

Keywords:
Zahrani liturgical space South Lebanon Aisle Nave Inscription Cross Diakonikon

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