It is considered to be the fifth holiest Christian holy place and the third-oldest church in the world.

[2][3] The church has been restored several times and is currently in use by the village's small Christian (Greek Orthodox) community.

[4] According to Christian tradition, Burqin is the place in "the region between Samaria and Galilee" where the miracle from Luke 17:11–19 took place: Jesus was passing through on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem when he heard cries for help from ten lepers who were living isolated nearby.

Jesus blamed the nine who did not recognise that their healing was God's gift, faith being the real salvation.

[7] The cave where the miracle allegedly took place appears to be a Roman cistern[6] and has an opening at the top.