"Shrine of Our Lady of Sayidanaya, Syria. Al-Mash Hura. Icon painted by St. Luke.
The Saidnaya Convent is located in the mountains 20 miles north the city of Damascus in Syria. Saidnaya was the seat of the ancient Patriarchate of Antioch. Saidnaya has many ancient associations with the Holy Bible. Many scholars consider Saidnaya to be second in religous importance to Jerusalem. Pilgrims from all over the world seek Saidnaya for renewal of faith and for healing. Saidnaya is also an area renowned for its faithfulness to Christianity. In past times when many cities and villages in Syria apostatized from Christianity, Saidnaya always remained a zealous defender of Christianity." Elijah Borek
