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Also known as the Virgin Mary’s Well, Bir As Sydah is among the many wells, but considered the deepest and most important, in the Old City of Beit Sahour. According to tradition, the Holy Family passed by the well during their flight to Egypt. The Virgin wished to drink some water, but the well was too deep, and the water way below. Mary asked a local woman who was fetching water in a pail if she could have a sip, but the woman refused. Then a miracle occurred and the water in the well rose to the top, enough for Mary to quench her thirst. Since then, the well, which was excavated by Jacob, the son of Isaac, is always full, and people drink from it almost daily. The people of Beit Sahur built a shrine over the well and placed traditional icons and paintings that were donated by the parish. The well, which is said to have healing powers, is venerated by both Christians and Muslims. And Mary spoke to the well "O well rise and rise, so that I drink from you and leave.”
