Julian of Emesa (Greek: Ἰουλιανός ὁ ἐν Ἐμέσῃ;[2] Latin: Julianus Emesenus) or Elian al-Homsi (Arabic: إليان الحمصي), also spelt Elyan or Ilyan, was a third-century Christian from Emesa (modern Homs, in Syria) who reputedly practiced as a physician or healer.

The monastery contains within it the remains of Saint Elian of Homs, who was martyred during the Roman persecutions of the third century.

During the reign of ISIS, the terrorist Islamist regime, the monastery was attacked on the 6th of August, 2015.

ISIS used bulldozers and bombs to destroy this great monument of faith under the pretext that the monastery was not worshipping Allah.

Recently the Syriac Catholic Eparchy of Homs has started to rebuild the church.