Statue of Virgin Mary, stolen by terrorists, restored to Maaloula

Damascus – The statue of Virgin Mary and some historical bells seized earlier by terrorists were restored on Saturday to their original place in Maaloula town, Damascus Countryside.

The iconic ancient town, located near Damascus, was overrun by terrorist organizations in September 2013. Maaloula, which is home to ancient monasteries and churches, suffered unspeakable brutality, vandalism and destruction at the hands of terrorists.

Those blew up St. Thecla Convent, which brought part of it tumbling down, before moving to vandalize the new church and burn the temple’s marble gate decorated with holy icons.

 Walls had been charred, saints’ icons stripped off and the Christ’s icons stabbed with knives. An array of several other icons of priceless value were damaged and deformed.

Moreover, lootings abounded in the town. Terrorists stole brass pieces, chandeliers, a 3-meter-long bronze statue of Jesus Christ overlaid with gold that Russia gave to the monastery as a gift in 2009, among other things.

However, since April 2014, the date when the army restored security and stability to the town, several pieces and icons have been retrieved gradually.

Those were either restored to their places in Maaloula or relocated in churches and monasteries elsewhere in Damascus.

 On May 26, 2015, three bells and two copper plates stolen by terrorists from the churches of Maaloula were located in the Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Dormition in Damascus city.

Earlier, an archeological wooden door dating back to 1700 years ago and a number of crosses and icons were restored to the Greek Catholic Monastery of Sts Sergius and Bacchus in Maaloula in December 2014.

SANA