A Delegation From Makassed Visits the Vatican for the First Time
Fady Noun 2024-04-04 10:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
A delegation from the Makassed Islamic Association, led by Mohammed Sammak and the association's president Faisal Sinno, discreetly visited the Vatican on March 28, without any media frenzy. This marked the delegation's first visit to the Holy See in its 138-year history. The delegation’s members were warmly received by the Secretary of State, ...
Pope to Christians of the Holy Land: It Is Good for You to Stay
Fady Noun 2024-03-30 11:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
On the occasion of Holy Week, Pope Francis addressed a letter to the Catholics of the Holy Land, encouraging them to remain in the land of Christ. "A land where you want to stay and where it is good for you to stay," the Holy Father emphasized. It goes without saying that this advice is directed at Christians who are tempted to leave or forced to ...
Retired Soldiers’ Ultimate Battle for Their Salaries
Fady Noun 2024-03-09 12:23 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The Book of Ecclesiasticus is one of the Bible’s most accessible texts, due to its pertinence and its ability to impart a wealth of practical wisdom. It most specifically refers to matters that are "gratifying to God," such as "neighbors who live in harmony," and others that are more sorrowful, such as "the soldier who ages in poverty.” All ...
For Lebanon to Attain Nationhood, It Requires Numerous Affirmations
Fady Noun 2024-03-02 16:23 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Georges Naccache's insight holds weight. Two negations do not form a nation. The proof! A plethora of negations wouldn't suffice to form one either. For Lebanon to attain nationhood, it requires numerous affirmations, notably an authentic Christian affirmation. The Assembly of the Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon recently convened a day ...
Deathly Visages
Fady Noun 2024-02-24 09:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
There are around two hundred Lebanese who have fallen, arms in hand, in a “low-intensity” war sparked by Hezbollah against Israel. Today, they are deathly visages. For many, their demise came in the early weeks of war measured much like a pregnant woman counting the months and days leading to childbirth. Sometimes, they met their end in ...
A Fragmented Nation
Fady Noun 2024-02-17 11:34 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Surrounding the El-Amine Mosque built by his father, Rafic Hariri, a significant crowd reserved a true moment of celebration for the political heir on February 14. We would have hoped to see a broader smile on Saad Hariri's face, considering the exuberance of the crowd. However, the man remained tense, wearing a strained half-smile. Undoubtedly, ...
Morounoye Lo Mtaxe, What Bogs Us Down
Fady Noun 2024-02-09 09:31 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Morounoye lo mtaxe, which means “the Maronite is undisciplined,” is essentially the first "lesson" that the Maronite bishop of Batroun, Mounir Khairallah, imparted to his theology students in Kaslik at the beginning of the year. It's a lesson with a dual nature, both commendable and bitter. Yes, Maronites are strong-willed, and there's nothing ...
Israel’s Future Lies in Lebanon
Fady Noun 2024-02-01 10:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
President Charles Helou (1913-2001) titled one of his written works Liban, cette part de Dieu (Lebanon, This Part of God). He should have said, "Lebanon, this dream of God." Lebanon, defined by its historical calling, is a nation in the making, not a static entity. And it always will be. The ongoing struggle for Lebanon's soul will never stop, ...
The Week of Unity: A Prayer Gathering Permeates Beirut’s Skies
Fady Noun 2024-01-24 21:02 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Venturing beyond conventional paths, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25), born out of a close collaboration between the Maronite hierarchy and secular believers, was marked this year by an exceptional ecumenical gathering. This half-liturgical concert, half-prayer meeting event was led by a choir of 250 singers and the Lebanese ...
Saint Charbel: Uniting East and West in Peace and Harmony
Fady Noun 2024-01-20 14:06 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The Maronite Church and the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome celebrated a very special event: the installation of a mosaic portraying Saint Charbel, placed in close proximity to the tomb of Saint Paul VI. It was Saint Paul VI who presided over the canonization mass of the hermit from Annaya on October 9, 1977. During that time, it’s worth noting ...
Saint Charbel Mosaic Set to Be Installed at the Vatican on Friday
Fady Noun 2024-01-19 08:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Starting Friday morning, a mosaic featuring Saint Charbel will adorn one of the walls surrounding the tomb of Saint Paul VI in the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome. The moment promises to be both poignant and solemn. Following the installment of the statue of Saint Maron in one of its exterior niches in 2011, the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome ...
Rise Up and Return to Lebanon
Fady Noun 2023-12-24 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
"From the cradle to the crucifixion, God reveals to us a profound mystery." I woke up this morning with this familiar Christmas refrain. The mystery here isn’t a detective's puzzle. It’s a reality beyond reason. Or rather, both beyond reason and within reach, as God became man and, as a human being, cannot be incomprehensible. Not ...