St Thecla convent, Syria

The Syrian Arab Republic (185 000km2), is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. The population of Syria (21 million) is 74% Sunni Muslim, 16% Alawites, Ismailis & Twelvers, 10% Christian & Druze. Syria attained independence in April 1946, as a parliamentary republic. 2010-A 65 km from Damascus, the village of Ma'aloula ("input" in Aramaic), situated at 1500m above sea level. Its 6000 inhabitants still speak the language of the Christ: Aramaic. Panoramic view of the monastery of St. Taqla (Convent of St Thecla). Taqla, a young girl engaged, heard St Paul's discourse on virginity and decided from that moment to follow God and the teachings of the Apostles. She lived the rest of her life in this cave, she became a sort of "first female apostle.". (Photo by Eric-Paul-Pierre PASQUIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)