The church of Mar Saba, Ijdabra owns a 50.000m piece of land that it wishes to bring to life through the launching of a spiritual, developmental, educational, social, touristic and environmental project which will answer the needs of the community. The project will be divided into 3 areas :
1- The first area will be dedicated to prayer and religious tourism.
2- The second area will be dedicated
to youth camps so the youth could be aware of the importance of dialogue, peace and the love of nature. A permanent center will be built for that purpose.
3- The third and last area includes the forest and will be dedicated to rest, relaxation and walkabouts. This area will be a haven for families, notably the less fortunate ones, and to everyone wanting to spend the holidays through participating in sporting, recreational and environment-friendly events. Its curators believe that its economical return will offer plenty of job opportunities which will help the inhabitants of Batroun remain in their land. Project Curators:
The church committee of Mar Saba- Ijdabra in collaboration with star peace association, the municipality of Ijdabra and the civil society. Project Specificities:
- The cross is the first part of this project for the feeling of serenity and inner peace that it procures in these times of restlessness and worry. It is the first of its kind in the region. The concrete cross is:
- 60 meters high.
- It Includes a small church.
- Its galleries offer visitors a view over the sea and mountains. Cross Objectives:
1- Spiritual: Not only is the cross a tourist attraction, it is also an oasis for meditation, prayer and reunion with God.
2- Psychological: The outstretched cross provides a feeling of serenity and inner peace for the restless soul that is worried about its own existence.
3- Economical: Being one of a kind in its shape and message not only in the East but throughout the world, this project is expected to attract thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Thus, it will crown the Road of Saints and create many jobs in the Batroun region hence limiting emigration.
4- Social: The cross in its horizontal and vertical dimensions is in its essence a symbol of connection between God and men on the one hand and between men among each other on the other, no matter their race, religious beliefs or social status. The cross is an invitation for love, reconciliation and coexistence.
5- Environmental: The cross built on the mountain top will limit the concrete invasion destroying “Green Lebanon” and offer a gorgeous natural resort for anyone seeking rest and relaxation.
