Montreal church creates ‘biggest’ Christmas Cave

It’s being called the biggest Christmas Cave in the city.

Located at Montreal’s Saint-Sauveur Cathedral on l’Acadie, it was made in less than a month by around 70 volunteers.

The goal – to bring joy and happiness to the community during the holiday season.

“The purpose is very simple actually,” explained Michael Nakhleh, a volunteer at the cathedral. “To bring joy to people, to make people happy to let them feel the humbleness.”

The Christmas Cave, created from more than 6,000 feet of recycled paper.

“The journey itself, when you walk you can hear the rhymes that play,” added Nakhleh. “It’s a beautiful seven-minute experience honestly.”

The project started on Nov. 20, to create what organizers described to be the largest nativity scene in the city.

With 13 biblical stations featured inside the basement of the cathedral, all made by volunteers.

“We had around 65 volunteers that were working around the clock,” explained Marie Nakhleh, a volunteer. “Until five in the morning some people were coming during the day, and after work.”

“We had to cut and paint all of the paper, people were building the structures, it really was a process, it took a village to build it.”

“It was all re-purposed,” she added. “To be fair everything you see around you if it wasn’t donated, was bought second-hand, we really wanted to keep it humble.”

The Saint-Sauveur Cathedral is inviting all Montrealers to visit the Christmas Cave, which is open until Jan. 7, 2024.

“Merry Christmas for all,” said Adeeba Nassar, a volunteer who contributed a painting to the cave. “I would love to send love to everyone, and come visit us at Cathedral Saint Sauveur.”