03:39Officials inaugurated the tallest religious monument in the Middle East, a towering statue of the Virgin Mary, in Al-Hawash, near Homs, Syria, on Sunday. The statue stands 8 metres tall and is part of a larger complex that includes the Church of Our Lady of the East.
Footage from the event shows religious figures and officials celebrating the milestone, with Christian symbols prominently displayed.
Father Matta Homsieh of the Valley of the Christians expressed hope that the monument would become a significant religious and cultural landmark: "Certainly, things will change after this edifice. The Church of Our Lady of the East will be the patroness of the entire Middle East. May the Virgin Mary protect this region and our beloved country, Syria."
Diana Asaad, manager of the gift chamber, highlighted the statue's craftsmanship and its potential to attract global visitors: "This will be a religious and tourist landmark for any visitor from within or outside Syria who wants to see a unique edifice with global standards. The statue is crafted with great care and will be a landmark worth visiting."
The statue, located in the scenic town of Al-Hawash, is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors from Syria and beyond.
'Patroness of entire Middle East' - Large statue of Virgin Mary inaugurated in Homs
Officials inaugurated the tallest religious monument in the Middle East, a towering statue of the Virgin Mary, in Al-Hawash, near Homs, Syria, on Sunday. The statue stands 8 metres tall and is part of a larger complex that includes the Church of Our Lady of the East.
Footage from the event shows religious figures and officials celebrating the milestone, with Christian symbols prominently displayed.
Father Matta Homsieh of the Valley of the Christians expressed hope that the monument would become a significant religious and cultural landmark: "Certainly, things will change after this edifice. The Church of Our Lady of the East will be the patroness of the entire Middle East. May the Virgin Mary protect this region and our beloved country, Syria."
Diana Asaad, manager of the gift chamber, highlighted the statue's craftsmanship and its potential to attract global visitors: "This will be a religious and tourist landmark for any visitor from within or outside Syria who wants to see a unique edifice with global standards. The statue is crafted with great care and will be a landmark worth visiting."
The statue, located in the scenic town of Al-Hawash, is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors from Syria and beyond.
Officials inaugurated the tallest religious monument in the Middle East, a towering statue of the Virgin Mary, in Al-Hawash, near Homs, Syria, on Sunday. The statue stands 8 metres tall and is part of a larger complex that includes the Church of Our Lady of the East.
Footage from the event shows religious figures and officials celebrating the milestone, with Christian symbols prominently displayed.
Father Matta Homsieh of the Valley of the Christians expressed hope that the monument would become a significant religious and cultural landmark: "Certainly, things will change after this edifice. The Church of Our Lady of the East will be the patroness of the entire Middle East. May the Virgin Mary protect this region and our beloved country, Syria."
Diana Asaad, manager of the gift chamber, highlighted the statue's craftsmanship and its potential to attract global visitors: "This will be a religious and tourist landmark for any visitor from within or outside Syria who wants to see a unique edifice with global standards. The statue is crafted with great care and will be a landmark worth visiting."
The statue, located in the scenic town of Al-Hawash, is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors from Syria and beyond.