Syrian Monastery Serves Up Interfaith Harmony, Plus the Best Mulberries Ever

Sixty miles north of Damascus, tucked into a rocky valley, sits the Deir Mar Musa monastery. It's a place steeped in history, beautifully restored by an Italian priest who, in a tragic twist, vanished during the Syrian civil war. Yet, the monks and nuns who remain continue a remarkable legacy: inspiring interfaith work in a region that desperately needs it.

And sometimes, they also inspire a really good snack.

During a summer hike behind the sixth-century monastery, a mulberry tree was discovered, its branches heavy with ripe fruit. In that arid landscape, it was a small, sweet miracle. The mulberries were, according to one account, the best fruit ever tasted. Which, if you've ever had a truly perfect piece of fruit, is saying something.

That evening, the monastery's candlelit prayers commenced. Father Jihad Youssef, the current religious leader, wove together biblical scripture with Eastern Orthodox Christian and Sufi traditions. Imagine that — a service that thoughtfully embraces a tapestry of faiths, all under one roof.

The combination of the ancient church, the serene ceremony, and those unexpectedly delicious mulberries created a moment of quiet gratitude. A reminder that sometimes, the simplest things — a shared prayer, a sweet taste, a moment of peace — can be the most profound.