Our Lady of Nourieh, Orthodox monastery in Hamat, Lebanon.
Our Lady of Nourieh is an Orthodox monastery in Hamat perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and offering expansive views along the coastline. The site includes a cave carved into the rock and a modern church building that together form a place of worship and pilgrimage.
According to tradition, two sailors built the initial shrine in the 4th century after experiencing a light they believed was the Virgin Mary guiding them through a storm. This founding story shaped the site's meaning as a place of protection for seafarers and a destination for the faithful across many centuries.
The name Nourieh comes from the Arabic word 'nour' meaning light, which shows how Christian and Arab traditions have mixed in this region for centuries.
The monastery is located north of Beirut and accessible by following the coastal road, with a new entrance that makes reaching the site straightforward. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the path to the cave and around the grounds involves some climbing and is best explored in good weather.
According to local tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared as a glow in the cave to warn sailors away from sharp rocks along this stretch of coast. This legend drew generations of seafarers who visited the cave as a place of refuge and thanksgiving during their journeys.
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