Saidnaya (also known as Saydnaya or Sednaya) is a city about 17 miles north of Damascus. The name means “Our Lady” and refers to an icon of the Mother of God housed in a Greek Orthodox church.
Oral tradition dates the shrine to at least the time of Roman Emperor Justinian I (died 565). According to legend, Justinian was leading his army through the desert. The men were parched with thirst when a beautiful gazelle appeared in the distance and led them to a spring of fresh water. Justinian planned to shoot the animal when it transformed into an icon of the Mother of God shining with heavenly light. She asked Justinian to build a church in her honor on the hill. Mary later appeared to Justinian in a dream and gave him the architectural plans for the church and convent located there.
Th icon known as “Shaghoura”, meaning “the illustrious”, is attributed to St. Luke. It was brought to the convent from Jerusalem in 870. Many miracles and healings have taken place at the shrine, and both Catholics and Moslems visit the shrine as pilgrims.
Prayer
Our Lady of Saidnaya, you brought Justinian and his men to earthly water to fortify their physical lives, but you also encouraged their spiritual lives. Lead us always to your son, who offers us eternal life.
Reflection
Do you ever ponder the gift of water in our lives? We turn on a tap and have fresh drinking water. We take washing daily for granted. Most of the world is not so fortunate. Two-thirds of the world’s population suffer from water scarcity at least one month a year (https://www.unicef.org/wash/water-scarcity). Take some time today to appreciate and give thanks for this most fundamental resource.
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