The ancient relics of Saint Marina the Monk have landed at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, the state-run Lebanese National News agency reported.
Saint Marina’s preserved body arrived in a glass box, and was transported to the Maronite Patriarchate in Dimane.
According to Christian teachings, Marina lived in Lebanon’s Kadisha Valley as a monk in the 5th century. She was disguised as a man under the name Marinos.
Marina renounced women’s clothing and said she wanted to live as a monk to dedicate her life to religion, Maronite accounts said.
Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and Maronite religious representatives welcomed the relics of Saint Marina at the airport, and watched the transfer from Venice to Lebanon.
The relics were kept and venerated in Venice by the Catholic Church for nearly 200 years.
The relics will remain in Lebanon until July 23, NNA added.