An Environmental Day in the Bekaa Organized by the MECC Theological and Ecumenical Department

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The Theological and Ecumenical Department at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized a new environmental day in the Bekaa, specifically in the Ablah village, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, as part of its “Season of Creation” program implemented by the department with the support of “Danmission” Organization.

The youth of the village and its residents from the three Parishes in the town participated in this activity. Local bodies and institutions also played a prominent role in preparing and inviting for this popular gathering. Among them were the Municipality, Parishes, civil defense, scouts, schools, and the “Think Environmentally” section at the Daher Foundation. The event coincided with an exceptional drought period that Lebanon suffered from, so it was an occasion to raise Prayers to God for the blessing of the year and rainfall. On the other hand, this day coincided with the eve of the Feast of Lights (February 2), which crowns the special environmental period, i.e. the forty days between Christmas and the Feast of the Entry of Jesus Christ into the Temple. There is an ancient tradition, whereby people on this occasion hold a popular procession in the streets, including singing and dancing, in addition to Worship ceremonies in the Churches.

The celebration began with a procession from the Greek Melkite Assumption Parish to the Maronite Church of Saint George, on the sound of hymns and songs.

Then, Prayers for rain were raised on the sound of bells ringing, and the rite of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus to the temple, i.e. the Feast of Lights, was celebrated.

The Prayer Service was presided over by Father Fadi Al-Fahl, and the Holy Bible was read by Father Boutros Eid, a Lebanese monk. The occasion’ Sermon was delivered by Deacon Garen Yosolkanian, the Coordinator of the “Season of Creation” program, in which he explained the relation between water scarcity and the other three elements of life, and recalled the necessity of light, which is the Sun of Justice, Jesus Christ. Finally, he called for contemplation, based on the phenomenon of drought that Lebanon experienced throughout the month of January, on the necessity of caring for creation from the perspective of the Feast of Lights.

From the Church, everyone headed to the spring of Our Lady of Ain Al-Dari to congratulate the Virgin Mary. This spring is widely known among the people of the Bekaa, as many believers go there to offer vows and seek the blessing of fertility. Here, a group of women in Ablah took the initiative to offer the “Ain Al-Dari Cake”. It is the traditional cake prepared on the occasion of the Feast of Jesus Christ’s Entry into the Temple.

From the site of the spring, the group of youth headed with the believers towards the “Myron Grove,” which was established last year on a plot of land belonging to the Basilian Salvatorian Order, where more olive trees were planted by extending the agricultural area.

The gathering ended with an agape that was blessed by the Priests, before the participants tasted the traditional Armenian dish served on the Feast of Jesus Christ’s Entry into the Temple, which is called “Diarnantaratsh.”

The youth and their families were happy in celebrating this beautiful Feast and contributing to the care of God’s creation. This joy was completed a few days later when their Prayers were answered and God blessed the country with rain and snow before the Feast of the Patron saint of the Maronite Church, Saint Maron!!!