85-Foot Statue of Christ Erected on Lebanon-Syria Border
A towering 85-foot statue of Christ rises in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley as a symbol of peace amid conflict.
BEKAA VALLEY, LEBANON — On March 17, 2026, an 85-foot statue of Jesus Christ was erected in a Christian village near the border with Syria, symbolizing peace and the enduring presence of Christians in the region. The monumental statue stands on a 32-foot tall pedestal, with the figure of Christ itself rising 52 feet above the base.
The project was designed and implemented by local resident Fadi Elias Awad. He explained that the idea had long been envisioned, but amid ongoing conflict in the area, it has taken on special significance as a sign of hope for the Christian communities in Lebanon’s northern Bekaa Valley. The ceremony drew attention for both its spiritual symbolism and the remarkable engineering involved in constructing such a tall structure.
The statue is located in one of the oldest Christian centers of Lebanon, predominantly inhabited by Maronites and Greek Catholics. Despite the Christian enclaves, the wider Bekaa Valley and Hermel region are largely Shiite Muslim, and military activity—including Israeli operations in southern and eastern Lebanon—has intensified tensions.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Syrian authorities foiled planned ISIS attacks on churches during New Year celebrations.
