On the occasion of the Annunciation, the Philokalia Association held a ceremony honoring the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai at Deir Al-Ziyara in Ain Toura. Present at the gathering were Patriarch Rai, bishops Hanna Alwan, Paul Rouhana, Paul Sayah, Samir Mazloum, the General Superior of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Father Edmond Rizk, MPs Neemat Afram and Fredy Hekal Al-Khazen, former ministers Marwan Charbel and Freij Sabounjian, a representative from the Hungarian embassy, the Mayor of Ain Toura, Labib Akiki, the Vice President of the Union of Municipalities of Jezzine and Mayor of Labaa, Fadi Romanos, the President of "Maronites for Lebanon," Paul Youssef Kanaan, and several political, religious, and social figures.
Upon Patriarch Rai's arrival, he was welcomed in the courtyard of the monastery with music from a Jaaita band and scouts, and children from Philokalia presented him with flowers and songs. In his speech, Patriarch Rai spoke about the monastery, which had been abandoned and was restored. Afterwards, Sister Marana and the Vice President of the Philokalia Association, Father Fredy Saab, presented Patriarch Rai with a commemorative sculpture designed by artist Nayef Alwan depicting the Virgin Mary and the Philokalia logo.
