CHURCH BUILDING
Basilica of Our Lady of Mantara
Maghdouché · Melkite Greek Catholic
- Locality
- Maghdouché
- Tradition
- Melkite Greek Catholic
- Type of place
- CHURCH BUILDING
- Coordinates
- 33.52723° N, 35.38110° E
- Identity
- Matched to a public listing
A brief history
The Melkite Greek Catholic shrine at Maghdouché dates its origin to 8 September 1721, when a young shepherd is said to have found the grotto; Euthymios Saifi, Melkite bishop of Sidon, then took it into his care. The complex joins a tower crowned by a statue of the Virgin and Child, a cathedral, a cemetery and the cave. Local tradition holds that Mary waited in that cave while Jesus was in Tyre and Sidon; this is devotional tradition, not a located Gospel event.
An interesting detail
Its Arabic name, Mantara, means the place of waiting, and the shrine is visited in particular each year for the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin.