The building was bought to house Saint Aquilina’s new church because the people of Byblos believe that after her execution, her body was discarded in the street now bearing her name. Living in the 3rd century A.D during Emperor Diocletian’s reign, Aquilina, a devout Christian from a young age, was persecuted for her faith. Refusing to renounce Christianity even under torture, she was believed dead and thrown outside the city, only to confront her persecutors once more before her death. Her unwavering faith and martyrdom are commemorated by the church, a symbol of resilience and spiritual dedication in Byblos.
The new Church of Saint Aquilina in Byblos, completed in 1996 by the Lebanese Maronite Order and the local community. Architecturally, the church features a rectangular layout and a single nave with a vaulted ceiling.