| Maghdouch� (AL � MANTARA Holly Cave and Chapel ) |
| By Farid Kattan |
| And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and De-cap-o-lis and Jerusalem and Judea �. (Matthew 4: 25) |
| And again he went out from the borders of Tyre and came through Sidon unto the Sea of Galilee through the midst of border of De-cap-o-lis. ( Mark 7: 31 ) |
| And from thence he arose and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon ( Mark 7: 24-30 ) |
| And he stood on a level place � ( Luke 6: 17-26 ) ( On the hill of Maghdouch� ) |
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| Historians and researchers agreed that Virgin Mary awaited her Son in a cave on top of a hill while Hi was preaching in Sidon ( Mark 7: 24-30 ) because Jewish woman were not allowed to enter Atheist cities. In 327 DC. Queen Saint Helena, the mother of the king Constantine (first Christian Roman King ) sent an icon for Virgin Mary and lamps and other gifts from the King to ensure the importance of this holy cave of Al � Mantara and with the presence of Tyre Archbishop that time she adapted and blessed the cave. When Jesus came to Sidon , the Virgin Mary who accompanied him stopped to wait for him near the town of Maghdouch� at the top of the hill ; she spent the night inside a cave, which was named later Al-Mantara . Emperor Constantine responded to St. Helen , his mother , request and transformed the cave into a sanctuary for the Virgin Mary. Also, in a church conference in Milan ( 4th. Century ) the cave of Al- Mantara was documented as a holy place for the Christian world. -------------------------------------------------- Name of Maghdouch� came from an old language: Maqdoucho Qadasha,Qadisho,Qadishat that means HOLY The old name of Maghdouch� was ARO, that means GREEN HILL. Al � Mantara: Arabic name means WAITING PLACE Citizens of Maghdouch� in exodus cause of : 636 DC the Islamic Rule ( The citizens covered and camouflaged the cave by stones and left north for refuge) followed by the Islamic Fatimies Rule. 11th./ 12th. Century. 2nd.Crusade. ( King Louis IX build a fortress near the cave on top of the tower of Queen Helena ) Mongolians Rule ( from north of Asia ) 1400 Timourlank Rule ( another invader from north ) 1546 Ottoman Empire. 1572 Lebanese ( Prince Fakher El-Dine II ) under Ottoman rules During this time, Christians have had some freedom and where allowed to practice their Christianity and start to came back to their homeland after app. 1000 years in exile. 1721 � Discovery of the Holly Cave of Al-Mantara: After the return of the citizens, one of the shepherd heard the sound of his lamb coming from a deep hole ( Chimney-like ) between the bushes, --- According to historians, this hole is for ventilation during burning candles and essence for � ASHTAROUT � the Phoenician Goddess of beauty ( Goddess of Sidon ) --- he went down to save it , he find him self in a dark cave in front of an Altar carved in the stone and a weak shining gold rayon coming from the crown on the ikon of Virgin Mary ( the gift of queen Saint Helena ) . Running fast up to the village, he told about his discovery and came back with help and they cleaned up the hidden door remembering the stories of their great grand fathers about this Holly Cave . 1963 May.16: Facing the Mediterranean sea from a level place in Maghdouch�, and after 2000 years, the bronze statue of THE LADY OF MANTARA and JESUS her Son stand on a high tower watching and waiting for their children to came back. Tower height : 28 m Statue height : 8.5 m width: 3.5 m weight: 6 Tons |
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| E-mail Farid Kattan: [email protected] |
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| Ref: From the book of Bishop Saba DAGHER 2003 - The Bible -See Lebanon, a French book by Bruce Condee 1960 -Daily star, 1952 � 1956 -Guide bleu, Paris -American University, Lebanon -Snt. Joseph University, Lebanon -Virgin Mary in Lebanon. by Father Joseph Guodar New edition by Father Jalibert JS 1954 -Miracles and history of the Lady of AL � Mantara by Bishop Basilious Hajjar 1956 -Notre Dame de Mantara. By Bishop Maksimos Constantine 1963 -Internet webs: www.Altavista.com search for Maghdouche |