Our Lady of Nourieh
Encyclopedia
Our Lady of Nourieh, Saydet el Nourieh in Arabic, is a Marian shrine in Hamat
, Lebanon
. Nourieh is a derivative of the Arabic word, nour, meaning light. Thus, in English, the Marian shrine can be called, Our Lady of Light.
The story of Our Lady of Light shrine and monastery is celebrated throughout Lebanon, a country where Christianity has existed since Jesus first evangelized in Tyre and Sidon
, and therefore, Lebanon is often considered part of the “Holy Land
.” Some of the first Christian communities were set up in Lebanon during the time of the apostles.
It is believed that two sailors built the shrine in the 4th century. One winter night, on a very stormy sea, the two sailors found themselves in peril. They began praying, and the Virgin appeared to them as a light and guided them gently to the shore of Theoprosopon
near modern day Chekka
in North Lebanon
. The grateful sailors carved a cave in the cliff and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary, and called the shrine, Our Lady of Light. A Greek Orthodox monastery was built in the 17th century. The miraculous icon of the Theotokos
has been venerated for centuries for having glowed with light to attract wayward ships.
The shrine is a popular Christian pilgrimage site in Lebanon, and tourists and pilgrims alike enjoy the beautiful view of the bay from atop historic Cape Theoprosopon
.
Hamat
Hamat is a village in Lebanon. It is located 287 meters atop the historic cape of Theoprosopon. It is home to the historic shrine and monastery of Our Lady of Nourieh. The village is also home to the convent of Saint Elie, which overlooks the valley and the Joze River, or the River of Walnuts...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. Nourieh is a derivative of the Arabic word, nour, meaning light. Thus, in English, the Marian shrine can be called, Our Lady of Light.
The story of Our Lady of Light shrine and monastery is celebrated throughout Lebanon, a country where Christianity has existed since Jesus first evangelized in Tyre and Sidon
Sidon
Sidon or Saïda is the third-largest city in Lebanon. It is located in the South Governorate of Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 km north of Tyre and 40 km south of the capital Beirut. In Genesis, Sidon is the son of Canaan the grandson of Noah...
, and therefore, Lebanon is often considered part of the “Holy Land
Holy Land
The Holy Land is a term which in Judaism refers to the Kingdom of Israel as defined in the Tanakh. For Jews, the Land's identifiction of being Holy is defined in Judaism by its differentiation from other lands by virtue of the practice of Judaism often possible only in the Land of Israel...
.” Some of the first Christian communities were set up in Lebanon during the time of the apostles.
It is believed that two sailors built the shrine in the 4th century. One winter night, on a very stormy sea, the two sailors found themselves in peril. They began praying, and the Virgin appeared to them as a light and guided them gently to the shore of Theoprosopon
Theoprosopon
Theoprosopon is the Greek name of Lithoprosopon, a cape in north Lebanon, also known today by the name of Râs ach-Chaq’a’. The cape is a situated between the ancient cities of Batroun and Tripoli. The promontory creates a massive barrier that cuts through the coast of Lebanon, making it impossible...
near modern day Chekka
Chekka
Chekka is coastal town located in the South of North Lebanon. It is located north of Râs ach-Chaq’a’ and Herri beaches, or Theoprosopon of classical times and south of the ancient Phoenician port of Enfeh and the city of Tripoli. The origin of the word is believed to be Canaanite from the word...
in North Lebanon
North Lebanon
North Lebanon may refer to:*North Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania*North Governorate, Lebanon...
. The grateful sailors carved a cave in the cliff and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary, and called the shrine, Our Lady of Light. A Greek Orthodox monastery was built in the 17th century. The miraculous icon of the Theotokos
Theotokos
Theotokos is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include God-bearer and the one who gives birth to God. Less literal translations include Mother of God...
has been venerated for centuries for having glowed with light to attract wayward ships.
The shrine is a popular Christian pilgrimage site in Lebanon, and tourists and pilgrims alike enjoy the beautiful view of the bay from atop historic Cape Theoprosopon
Theoprosopon
Theoprosopon is the Greek name of Lithoprosopon, a cape in north Lebanon, also known today by the name of Râs ach-Chaq’a’. The cape is a situated between the ancient cities of Batroun and Tripoli. The promontory creates a massive barrier that cuts through the coast of Lebanon, making it impossible...
.