During his Sunday sermon at St. George’s Cathedral, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, Elias Audi, pointed out that the concept of victory varies significantly among different groups, creating a gap in how events and historical figures are judged.
The metropolitan was mainly referring to the concept of victory, frequently emphasized in Hezbollah’s rhetoric regarding its conflict with Israel, despite Lebanon enduring systematic destruction, because of this conflict.
“The concept of victory differs between one group and another, which creates a distance between them and a difference in judging the events of history and its men,” he said. This disparity, he noted, hampers the objective writing of history and reconciliation with the past.
Metropolitan Audi’s sermon delved into the longstanding issues of truth and interpretation in Lebanon’s history. Drawing parallels between the past and the present, he highlighted how differing perspectives on historical events have perpetuated division within the country. “Doesn’t each side see things according to its own inclinations and interests? That is why we always hear different interpretations of the same event,” he added, referencing the various conflicts Lebanon has endured.
He urged that, similarly, Lebanon’s wise and moral leaders, free from hidden interests, must come together to agree on clear principles and objective interpretations of disputed matters, including constitutional articles.
“The wise men of this country and its elders in soul, morals, humanity, science, and specialization, who are far removed from any hidden interest or purpose, must meet and agree on clear principles and objective interpretations of all that the Lebanese disagree on,” Audi continued.
