CHURCH BUILDING
Saint Paul Memorial Church, Tabbaleh
Damascus · Tabbaleh · Roman Catholic · Franciscan custody
- Locality
- Damascus · Tabbaleh
- Tradition
- Roman Catholic · Franciscan custody
- Type of place
- CHURCH BUILDING
- Coordinates
- 33.50235° N, 36.32021° E
Identity checked:
History: Saint Paul Memorial Church, Tabbaleh
The Franciscan Saint Paul Memorial at Tabbaleh commemorates Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, narrated in Acts 9:3–9; identification of this precise spot belongs to local tradition. The Custody records a chapel built here in 1925 and its replacement by the memorial inaugurated in 1971 at Pope Paul VI’s wish. This modern church is distinct from the Saint Paul chapel at Bab Kisan associated with his escape from the city.
An interesting detail
John Paul II visited the memorial on 7 May 2001 and addressed the Franciscans responsible for the house established at Paul VI’s wish.