Sydnaya, Syria
 A
village spread out over a hilltop about 30 km from Damascus and is surrounded
by vineyards and olive groves, notable as a place of religious pilgrimage
than for any outstanding remains. It has a famous monastery found in 547
AD, probably built during the reign of Emperor Justinian.
This monastery which was a famous place of pilgrimage
during Crusader times, was ordered by the Emperor himself, once out hunting,
Justinian allegedly witnessed a vision; a lady who in turn commanded him
to erect the church in its location today.
The Emperor built the monastery and dedicated it to the
Blessed Virgin, hence the name of the village itself; Seyda Naya which
means "Our Lady" in Syriac.
Beside the monastery; which houses a precious icon of
St. Luke the Evangelist (The portrait of the Virgin Mary) and other icons
said to date from the 5th and 7th centuries, there is the famous church
of Sophia and Sherobim convent which was built in the 3rd century and
is 2000m above sea level.
The miracles associated with the image of the Virgin brought
the chapel wide fame, particularly during and after the middle ages. It
became the most famous center for pilgrimage in the east after Jerusalem.
The Crusaders were fascinated by the legends of "Notre
Dame de Sardeneye", associated with a painting of the Virgin.
The chapel (dedicated to St. Peter - Mar Boutros) is a
converted ancient tomb. There are other minor sites of historical interest
in the area, some associated with the monastic tradition of the early
Church.
The convent is in the care of the Greek Orthodox Church.
The main day of pilgrimage is 8 September (birthday of the Virgin).
Editor's Note: This article barely scratches the surface
of the wealth of information you will find at www.AtlasTours.net.
Be sure to visit their site! |
