Among the inherited stories are the many signs and wonders which the divine child performed there, including:
There was a high ficus tree that was inhabited by a demon and worshiped by the pagans, and when the child Jesus passed by the tree, the devil fled from it and it bowed to the ground as if prostrating to its Creator.
Also, the Virgin Mary said to Pope Theophilus the 23rd patriarch, as recorded in his sermon: “This tree was blessed by my beloved son, and He said, there will be no mite in you, and you will not change from your place, and you will be a sign of my entering this city.” Since then, the tree’s peel, leaves and fruits have become a healing power that cures many diseases.
The Byzantine historian Susmin recorded in his ecclesiastical history what he heard from the residents of the city during his visit to Ashmounin in the early fifth century AD, especially about the healing powers received by some people whom he met in Palestine and who used the fruits and leaves of that tree.
Abu al-Makarem added that in the courtyard of the church of the Virgin in Ashmounin there was a tree of Syrian origin called (Sabtian), and its fruits were red in color similar to a plum, which bowed down when the Child Jesus drew near it. The ruler wanted to cut it, but Pope Agathon the 39th patriarch of Alexandria (658-677) stood under it, and when someone came to cut it with an axe, the axe jumped in his face. The ruler was afraid and left the tree and it was not cut. Then, he took gold from his money to the Patriarch and asked him to accept it and spend it on whatever charitable causes he wanted.
In addition, a French archaeological mission found manuscripts in Ashmounin (1887 AD) which describe that the Lord Christ raised the dead, made the lame walk, the deaf hear, the mute speak, and the lepers clean.
