Our Lady of Saidnaya Monastery

The Monastery of Our Lady of Saidnaya or Sardeneye is a Greek Orthodox monastery in the Syrian sednaya. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. It is supported by a religious women's orders.

The monastery with an icon of Mary is dedicated to the Evangelist Luke. It is an important place of pilgrimage for both Christians and Muslims.

The main chapel contains several illustrations and several wooden iconostasis. The pilgrimage shrine is separated from the main chapel. The figure named Schaghura, with the meaning ' the Famous ' is held in an ornate niche with a silver door closed while its there on each side, a number of younger icons. Numerous hand- beaten silver crosses and other religious votive offerings of pilgrims are exhibited on the walls.

Tradition has it that the monastery was built in 547 under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, after two Marian apparitions before - a suggested, where the Church is to build the other rewrote the look. Justinian I dedicated the building to the feast of the birth, and since then every year on September 8, the whole day through both Muslim and Christian pilgrims to celebrate the holiday of Our Lady of Saidnaya.

The now very valuable historical Monastery of Our Lady of Sardeneye was damaged severely in the wake of the Syrian Civil War.