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Marian shrines of Benghazi and the Cyrenaica

of Bengasi, of Lubiah,

The region of Cirenaica, the cradle of Christianity in Libya, housed in the flourishing bishopric antiquity and Marian shrines. The city of Bengasi, the second capital of the country, maintained a Catholic presence during the Italian period that left visible traces in urban architecture.

Cyrenaica: the land of primitive Christians

La Cyrenaic (northeastern Libya) was one of the first regions of North Africa to receive Christianity. The Acts of the Apostles mention "men of Cyrene" who preached in Antioch (Acts 11: 20). The city of Cirene (current Shahhat) was the home of an important and country of Simon of Cyrene, que ayudó a Jesús a cargar la cruz.

Ancient sanctuaries

The Christian tradition of the Cyrenaica mentions several ancient Marian shrines, although the information is fragmented:

• Church of the Theotokos in Cirene: mentioned in V-century sources, probably one of the first Marian churches in Libya. - PURSUANT OF VERIFICATION: no identifiable remains are preserved.
• Church of Santa Maria in Ptolemaida: the seat of Bishop Sinesio (V century). I'm sorry.
• Basílica de Leptis Magna: in the Roman city of Leptis Magna, remains of Christian basilicas have been identified, some of them probably dedicated to Mary.

La catedral italiana de Bengasi

During the Italian colonization, the Catedral de Bengasi (also known as the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart), opened in 1929. It was an imposing building in the center of the city. After the independence of Libya (1951) and especially after the arrival of Gaddafi (1969), the cathedral was confiscated and converted into a mosque. PURSUANT OF VERIFICATION: its state is unknown after the 2014-2017 fighting in Benghazi.

The church of San Francisco de Bengasi

Los Franciscans they maintained an active presence in Benghazi during the Italian period and beyond. The church of San Francisco, built in the 1930s, was a center of Marian devotion with a chapel dedicated to the Virgin. The Franciscans left Libya progressively after Gaddafi came to power.

Marian devotion in the current Cyrenaica

The Christian presence in the Cyrenaica is today testimonial. The few remaining Christians (mostly foreign workers) meet in private spaces. However, the memory of the ancient sanctuaries and Marian devotion remain alive in the Libyan diaspora and in the Christian communities of exile.

Prayer for the Cyrenaica

Lord, who from Cyrene came out the first Christians who brought your name into the world, look with love at the land that saw Simon of Cyrene born. May the Marian devotion that flourished in this region reborn from the ashes of war. May the destroyed sanctuaries be seeds of new faith, and may the Virgin Mary intercede for the reconciliation of the Cyrenaica. Amen.