His Beatitude Patriarch John X Celebrates the Feast of Saint Elias in Dhour El Choueir - Lebanon
The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs Participates in the Prayers
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, celebrated the Feast of Saint Elias, in Dhour El Choueir region - Lebanon, with a Church, popular and official attendance.
First, His Beatitude arrived at Dhour El Choueir Square, on the evening of Friday 19 July 2024, where an official and popular reception was held for him and speeches were delivered by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, His Excellency President Elias Bou Saab, and His Eminence Bishop Silouan Moussi, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Byblos, Batroun and Dependencies (Mount Lebanon).
His Beatitude Patriarch John X also delivered a speech in which he stressed the necessity of approaching everything with the logic of hope in the face of difficulties. His Beatitude expressed his pride in the people of Dhour El Choueir and Matn, as well as the importance of their feeling of belonging to Lebanon despite everything, His Beatitude also stressed the necessity of electing a President of the Republic as soon as possible.
His Beatitude was received by their Eminences Bishops Damaskinos Mansour (Brazil), Silouan Moussi (Mount Lebanon), Basilios Mansour (Akkar), Ghattas Hazim (Baghdad and Kuwait), Antonios Al Soury (Zahle and Baalbek) and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Bishop Constantine Kayal, Head of the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Elias – Shouwaya, as well as Bishops and Priests from various Church Families, and Clergy. He was also received by President Elias Bou Saab, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, political and social figures, and believers.
Afterwards, all attendees headed to the Church of the Transfiguration in the town, where a Prayer of Thanksgiving was held, after which they moved to the Patriarchal Monastery of Saint Elias - Shouwaya, where His Beatitude Patriarch John X presided over the Prayer of Thanksgiving following an official reception with the participation of the National Orthodox Scouts.
On the morning of Saturday 20 July 2024, His Beatitude celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Monastery of Saint Elias, in the presence of their Eminences Bishops Elias Kfoury (Tyre and Sidon), Damaskinos Mansour (Brazil), Silouan Moussi (Mount Lebanon), Basilios Mansour (Akkar), Ghattas Hazim (Baghdad and Kuwait), Antonios Al Soury (Zahle and Baalbek) and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Bishop Constantine Kayal, Head of the Monastery. At the end of the Mass, His Beatitude extended a heartfelt greeting to everyone, especially those who take Saint Elias as their intercessor.
In addition, His Beatitude Patriarch John X held a Divine Liturgy, on Sunday 21 July 2024, in the Monastery. It was presided over by His Eminence Bishop Damaskinos (Mansour), Metropolitan of São Paulo and All Brazil, with the participation of Bishop Ghattas (Hazim), Metropolitan of Baghdad and Kuwait and their Dependencies, Bishop Constantine (Kayal), Head of the Monastery, and Clergy. As well as, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) attended the Divine Liturgy.
During the Mass, His Beatitude emphasized the role of the members of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in all places and at various times, stressing the importance of the celebrated Saint Elias’s saying, “The Lord lives,” in the life of every human being, so that they may feel the mercies of God, the Father of Lights.
At the end, His Beatitude Patriarch John X met, in the Monastery’s salon,with the attendees who came to greet him and receive his Blessings.
