Mass celebrated again at ancient St. Maron’s Shrine in Syria after 15-year silence

ACI MENA, Nov 9, 2025 / 06:00 am

For the first time in over 15 years, the Maronite Church in Syria celebrated a solemn Mass at the ancient shrine of St. Maron in the village of Brad, northwest of Aleppo.

Father Ghandi Mahanna, who led the liturgy at the ancient shrine, reminded worshippers that “the true presence of God is found in every human heart,” urging them to live faith through love. Credit: Maronite Scouts Group

A pilgrimage to the site, organized by the Maronite Scouts, drew more than 80 participants, young and old, reviving one of the most sacred Christian sites in the region known as the “Dead Cities.”

Father Ghandi Mahanna, who led the liturgy, reminded worshippers that “the true presence of God is found in every human heart,” urging them to live faith through love.

Pilgrims attend Mass along the pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Maron and the Church of St. Simeon Stylites in northwestern Syria. Credit: Maronite Scouts Group

The group also visited the nearby ruins of St. Simeon the Stylite’s Church and the cave chapel once home to the hermit Toufic Ajib, which suffered partial damage during the war.

Accompanied by security forces ensuring safe passage, the pilgrims expressed hope that religious tourism to Syria would soon revive, reaffirming that “Syria was beautiful, and still is.”

This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, and has been translated for and adapted by CNA.