Long Knife Soldiers take a journey back in time

Photo By Creighton Holub | The Dair Mar Elia Monastery, commonly referred to as St. Elijah's Monastery, sits on Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, as well as other units on FOB Marez, were offered tours of the area by Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremiah Catlin, Special Troops Battalion, and one of the current caretakers of the site.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

02.20.2007

Story by Spc. Creighton Holub 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. 1st Class Brian Sipp
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq – Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division were able to take a walk into the past without leaving the present when they were allowed to tour the St. Elijah's Monastery on Forward Operating Base Marez, Feb.10.

Nestled in a field across from a Russian tank graveyard, the Christian sanctuary is now protected by a chain-link fence and away from the maneuver of heavy vehicles and patrolling feet. Resembling a medieval castle, its walls and courtyard show the signs of age, as well as more recent damage from combat sustained in the fall of 2003 when an Iraqi armor unit used it as a command post against the Coalition Forces.

Properly called the Dair Mar Elia Monastery, after Mar Elia, a monk who studied at the great monastery at Ezla Mountain in Turkey, its origins can be dated back to its establishment in 595 A.D., according to Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremiah Catlin, Special Troops Battalion, one of the current caretakers of the site and administrators of the tour.

"All of the Soldiers, whether religiously oriented or not, have always displayed the highest level of respect for this site, and demonstrate a very keen interest in the historical relevance and significance of this monastery," said Catlin.

Catlin explained why the area has sparked such interest in him, and what he envisions for the future. "I have now visited St. Elijah's Monastery on more than 25 different occasions. I began as a fellow Soldier attending the tour. I have spent time working on the site to remove unexploded ordinance with our explosive ordinance disposal teams. I spent time researching the site's history online and visiting with individuals who have extensive knowledge of this building. Now, I am attempting to assist in the preservation of the building as well as furthering the knowledge of the monastery for all Soldiers that will have the opportunity to come through it."

Walking through the ruins, Catlin explained to the assembled following how history played out directly under their feet. "After many years of service by Mar Elia, the responsibility of caring for the monastery was given to Mar Elia's nephew, Khnanisho. Many years passed, and a church was built sometime between the 14th and 15th century. During the 17th century, an Alqush native by the name of Hurmizd Alqushnaya renovated the monastery. It remained to be a successful center of Christianity until 1743, when Tahmaz Nadir Shah destroyed it, as well as Dair Mar Oraha, and killed all of its inhabitants."

Remnants of 1,500-year-old pottery lie scattered in several rooms on the ground level, a testimony to the endurance of the structure and people who lived within it.

"It has really made me think about our value systems and whether our value structure will still be visible in 1,000 years, like it is here," reflected Sgt. Jessica Muller, a Special Troops Battalion combat medic, and native of El Paso, Texas.

Several Soldiers had similar thoughts after absorbing the sense of timelessness and perseverance that seemingly emanates from the grounds.

"It gave me an incredible insight into Iraq's past," said Staff Sgt. George Wrin, a communications noncommissioned officer also with STB, and a native of Philadelphia, Penn. "This is the last place I would expect to find a Christian monastery," he added, referring to the predominant religion of Islam that currently encompasses the region.

Catlin again expressed his joy at being able to share this area with Soldiers, and explained why he felt it was significant for them to visit. "I have taken both Soldiers whose jobs keep them in offices on the FOB, as well as Soldiers whose duties take them outside the wire every day. For the FOB Soldiers, it allows them to connect and helps them feel they are getting to know some of the culture and rich history of this country. Our off-the-FOB Soldiers seem to find that it allows them an opportunity to relax and forget the stressors of their daily jobs. While Soldiers will not be as likely to exit a vehicle and get pictures of every site in this historically-rich city, they can at least get one comparable picture in a safe environment by visiting this monastery tucked away on FOB Marez."

The beginning of the 20th century brought much interest in St. Elijahs. The complex saw many renovations and halls and rooms were rebuilt for use during WW I as a refuge, explained Catlin. The last Wednesday in November is dedicated to remembering Mar Elia. Most recently, during the 20th century, thousands of Chaldean Christians would gather at this site to commemorate Mar Elia. Later a military compound, the Muaskar el-Ghazlani, was built around the monastery, which reduced the number of visitors to the location.

"This whole land would look absolutely gorgeous if there was no barbed wire," said Pfc. Roy Smith, an STB intelligence analyst from Knoxville, Tenn.

"I enjoy the looks of interest and intrigue on our Soldiers' faces," Catlin explained. "I enjoy the time spent focusing on something that naturally leads to discussions of faith."

• Date Taken: 02.20.2007
• Date Posted: 02.20.2007 14:27
• Story ID: 9187
• Location: MOSUL, IQ