“Lebanon has suffered from political, economic, social, financial, and ethical decline, which has placed it among the failed states. It was once the pearl of the East, with its universities, schools, hospitals, printing presses and it being a gathering place for free thinkers, intellectuals, and creators,” Assistant Trainer Eva Maria Boutros Masoud said in a speech delivered on behalf of the Beirut Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elias Audi at the graduation ceremony for the class of 2022-23 of the Three Doctors School.
Masoud went on to say that “as for our beloved capital, Beirut, it suffered twice: once like the rest of Lebanon [during the war], and once due to the explosion in its port, which claimed the lives of more than 200 of its inhabitants, injured thousands of them, demolished its buildings, darkened its streets, and turned the lives of its people upside down. They are still waiting for the investigation and justice to be concluded,” she added.
The speaker continued to add that “schools did not escape that earthquake, as buildings were affected, classrooms and playgrounds were damaged, and you were deprived of attending your classes for a considerable period. All of this has generated anger in souls, accompanied by concerns about the future and destiny.”
“Moreover, what worsens the situation is what you hear about corruption prevailing in most official administrations and the interests that govern the rulers and leaders, in addition to the lack of respect for laws and the violation of the constitution, which is the system governing the life of the state and its citizens, and the disregard for all entitlements, starting with the election of a president for the country,” Masoud noted in her address.
She concluded by calling upon the graduates to “be free from all evil, bias, misguidance, and obstinacy. Seek truth, goodness, justice and righteousness.”
