Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the unique structures from the 5th and 6th centuries It has the distinction of being the oldest standing Syriac Orthodox monastery in the world. Mor Gabriel Monastery, with its rare mosaics, bell towers, stonework and long abbaras, was the most important religious center of early Christianity and still maintains its importance today. The word 'purple' means 'sir, my elder' in Syriac. Photograph: The 2021 Mardin Photography Marathon received a special award.