Since temples succeed in the same place when changing the religion, and are subject to big or little changes imposed by the new cult, therefore, the Monastery of Prophet Isaiah (which is now located outside Brummana), might be built following the destruction of a Phoenician temple. Most probably, it preceded the village because monks used to leave towns going to wild lands and because believers used to go to monasteries for pilgrimage, and when they felt more devoted, they used to settle next to the monasteries in order to attend the prayers.

This monastery was surely Greek Orthodoxy’s, however, it was transferred to the Catholics when it was joined to the monastery of St. John at Choueir in 1722, i.e. one year before the birth of the Roman Catholic confession. The monastery of John Choueir situated at Khenchara, was the headquarters of the Catholic Melkite monastic order. Afterwards, maronite monks built another temple next to the first one and holding its name. However, on the maronite altar there is no icon for the prophet but a painting for a monk.

The most ancient historical feature in Brummana might be the Church of Prophet Isaiah, next to which we find a great oak tree going back to the fifth century, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Are the tree and the church synchronous? All that we can confirm is that the inscription engraved above the gate of the church says: “Prophet Isaiah Church in Brummana was built in 1560 AC”.
Then was established the iconostas that is artistically similar somehow to the ones found in the monastery of Saint Elijah Chouwaya, the NDU monastery and Saint John monastery in Khonchara, as if there was only one single school of art when these wood masterpieces were performed, and that was in the eighteenth or the nineteenth century.

If we go deeply into history, we can see that Arab tribes established fortresses at the top of Lebanese hills especially in Brummana. The present Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Isaiah might be one of the ancient fortresses.

In fact, the narrow windows in the southern wall wouldn’t have been used in building a temple. These external and internal windows were used for military usage, which makes us think that this was one of the Arab tribe's fortresses. Thus, the expression “built” mentioned on the inscription meant restoration and renovation.
Anyway, the Orthodox hosted the Maronites coming from the North in order to perform their ritual prayers, and the Maronites as well hosted the Orthodox in Bekfaya. When Maronites increased in number, Orthodox allowed them to build a church next to Prophet Isaiah Church and it held his name as well, and then they gave it to the Roman Catholic coming from Aleppo. When the two congregations increased in number, the Orthodox built a church holding the name of Saint George while the Maronites erected a church keeping the name of Prophet Isaiah. A 5 meter width road separates the two parishes as if they wanted to stay very close, like they have been for many centuries.

Saint Georges (Greek Orthodox)
Churches Street

Saint Georges (Greek Catholics)
Churches Street
 

Father Najib Tobaji declares it was founded early 19th century, then they moved its location in 1904 to the old edifice of Mar Chaaya’s Maronite church. It was renovated in 1984
 

Prophet Isaiah (Greek Orthodox)
Churches Street
 

It was a fort built in 333 B.C. by the Ethronites (Al-Yaatira). In 1560, the Christians transformed it into the current church of Prophet Isaiah for the Greek Orthodox. Stones are still engraved with characters analog to Arabic.
 

Prophet Isaiah (Maronite)
Churches Street
 

It was founded in 1804 next to the Greek Orthodox’s Prophet Isaiah’s church. But for the surrounding lack of space, the church had been moved to another site in the town, leaving its place to Saint Georges for Greek Catholic.

Our Lady of Brummana (Maronite)
Mar Chaaya / Mzake
 

It was built in 1950 by Count Edward Chedid. Even though it is actually located outside Brummana district since the partition of Mar Chaaya / Mzke in the 60s, it falls under the Brummana Waqef.
 

Our Lady of Annunciation (Greek Orthodox)
Mrah Ghanem
 

Father Stephens Karam. Under construction. It was a hall used for praying & celebrations since 1985.
 

Our Lady of Annunciation (Greek Orthodox)
Mrah Ghanem
 

Father Stephens Karam. Under construction. It was a hall used for praying & celebrations since 1985.

Saint Elie (Maronite)
Emile Lahoud Street
 

Saint Elie (Latin)
 

Situated inside "Sisters of the Cross" Monastery, that has been founded by Father Jacob Al Kabouchi in 1950

The Druze confession is one of the first that lived in Brummana hundreds of years ago.

Brummanian families began to form during the reign of Emir Fakhreddine. The Druz from Hammana and from the High Metn “the Alwans”, “the Maksads”, and “the Munzers”, then Abi-Al-Lamaas from Kfarselwan followed suit as well as other families.

After Emir Bachir I died in 1707, he was succeeded by Moukaddam Haydar Chehab (1706-1732) who settled in Brummana at Moukaddam Abi-Al-Lamaa's premises due to the deep political alliance between the two.

In 1710, Haydar Chehab defeated Bachir Pasha, Saida’s Ottoman ‘Wali” (governor) in Ain Dara’s battle, and was supported by Abi-AI-Lamaa’s army headed by Moukaddam Hussein and Abdallah Abi-AI-Lamaa. After his victory, Emir Haydar bestowed the title of “Emir’ on the Moukaddams who ruled over the Metn.

The Druze used to pray on Thursdays in at the "Druze Sanctuary" that lasted to the middle of the last century.
 

Who Are The Quakers?

In 1647 in the period of civil wars in England, George Fox, the founder of the "Society of Friends - Quakers" was convinced that every man receives from God a divine Inner Light which if followed, can lead to spiritual truth. This profound belief in the inwardly nature of religion emphasises the importance of silence in prayer as a way of getting closer to God.

Fox's belief soon spread to the U.S. through William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania. Quakers reject the ceremonial nature of religion (such as the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion) and professional clergy and refuse to take oaths or use artificial titles. Great emphasis is placed on economy, simplicity and the practice of one's faith in daily affairs. War is unlawful and the peace testimony makes Quakers today an active group calling for justice and peace at the United Nations through the "Quaker United Nations Office". This Office has also pledged such humanitarian causes as disarmament, racial discrimination, children soldiers, migrant workers, emergency human needs and environment.

The Friends Syrian Mission, set up in 1874, was, at first, a separate organisation that became a part of the FFMA in 1898. Schools, a hospital and a dispensary were set up in Ramallah though this work was transferred to the New England Quakers in 1898.
 

Another centre was Brummana in the Lebanon, founded by the Swiss Quaker, Theophilus Waldmeier (1832-1915), that contained an industrial school, schools for boys and girls and a hospital.

By 1903 there were 13 missionaries, 47 native workers and one church.

Their meeting room is a very simple center where there are no ornaments or religious symbols. There is an appointed minister or pastor. These meetings for worship are open to all, and visitors are particularly welcome.
 

As to marriage, it is performed in the Meeting House where the bride and groom solemnly make known to all the friends their intention of taking each other in marriage.
All those present act as witnesses by signing the marriage certificate delivered by the proper officers of Brummana Monthly Meeting of the Society.