Bikfaya / Khénchela Lebanon
Melkite Greek Catholic (Byzantine)
The Church of Saint Nicholas is the second church in the Monastery of St. John the Baptist. All liturgical rites are celebrated in this church, built in 1719. The carved walnut iconostasis tells the entire story of salvation, from Adam and Eve, through the Old Testament, and to the Resurrection. It was carved in walnut by monks over six years. The monastery is the motherhouse of the Basilian Chouerite Order, founded in 1696-97. It is also home to the Middle East's first Arabic language printing press, established in 1734.