Saint Elie Orthodox Church
Fishermen began building Saint Elie Church on El Mina’s seafront in 1861. Its foundation commemorated their survival of a violent storm at sea: they recalled seeing a sign on the shore from a distance and reaching land safely.
Tall columns formed part of the church’s outer structure. Light from the building served as a beacon for returning boats, giving the church a practical role resembling that of a lighthouse as well as its place in the fishermen’s religious life.
