The Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi presided over the Rite of the Cross at the altar of the outdoor sanctuary of the Patriarchal HQ in Bkerke, "Chapel of the Resurrection," assisted by bishops Samir Mazloum, Paul Sayah, Hanna Alwan, and Antoine Oukr. Also present were the patriarch's secretary, Father Hadi Dhou, the head of Our Lady of Lebanon-Harissa Sanctuary, Father Fadi Tabet, along with several bishops, priests, nuns, and attendees including Maronite League President Ambassador Khalil Karam, former minister and head of the "Identity and Sovereignty Meeting" Youssef Salama, and a crowd of community members and believers.
After reading the five Holy Gospels, Patriarch Al-Rahi delivered a sermon titled "We bow to You, O Christ, and bless You because through Your Holy Cross, You saved the world." He stated: "The wood of the cross was originally a tool for humiliating and executing criminals, but the crucified God transformed it into a means of salvation for the world and a victory for believers, more powerful than any other means, embodying a love for every believer."
