Virgin Mary statue installed in Hayata village with assistance from Lebanese Army

HAYATA, Lebanon — A new statue of the Virgin Mary has been installed in the village of Hayata in Lebanon’s Keserwan District, by the Syriac Maronite Parish of Saint Maron with the support of the Lebanese Army. The monument, titled Mother of God — Our Lady of the Rocks, now stands on a cliff overlooking the village, creating a striking scene rich in religious symbolism and spiritual meaning.

The operation was anything but ordinary. The statue was transported by a military helicopter from its assembly site to the mountaintop. Assisted by Civil Defense personnel, the helicopter carefully lowered the massive white figure into its designated place.

The sight left onlookers in awe. From the village slopes, residents watched as the helicopter carried the towering statue through the air before setting it gently on the summit, where it now seems to gaze over the entire region.

For the Syriac Maronites of Keserwan District, the new statue represents another addition to the region’s tapestry of religious symbols that mark both mountains and coastline. Among the most iconic is the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, a landmark that has drawn pilgrims and tourists from Lebanon and abroad for decades. In contrast, Our Lady of the Rocks carries its own distinct symbolism: set in a remote, rugged area, it is intended as a local pilgrimage site and a direct expression of popular devotion.

Amid Lebanon’s ongoing political and economic crises, the unveiling of the statue also carries a message of endurance and spiritual resilience. While many remain burdened by daily struggles, others are determined to reaffirm the spiritual identity that has long been a cornerstone of Lebanese society.

Though the statue overlooking the heights of Keserwan cannot alter the country’s harsh realities, it adds another unique chapter to Lebanon’s landscape — a nation suspended between daily hardship and the enduring search for symbols of hope and solace.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IMLebanon (@imlebanonnews)