History and Identity
St. George Monastery in Ashash, Zgharta District, Lebanon, boasts a long history of resilience and transformation. Established in 1847 by the Lebanese Maronite Order, the monastery has been destroyed during various wars. Despite these challenges, it has been rebuilt and now serves as a spiritual center and educational institution. The monastery includes a prestigious school founded in 1945, which expanded to a high school in 1952, attracting students from all over Lebanon. The school and monastery suffered significant damage during the Lebanese Civil War in 1975, but they have since been restored under the leadership of Father Kalim Tawni, who began his tenure in 2004. He has focused on modernizing facilities and maintaining agricultural activities, transforming the monastery into a beacon of education and spirituality. The monastery now features updated educational facilities, a nursery, and a learning difficulties section, equipped with modern educational tools and serving a vibrant community of about 2,000 students from diverse backgrounds. It can be said that the high school has become a beacon in the region as it is the largest academic institution, employing around 200 staff members, including administrators, teachers, and employees.
