Archbishop Elias Awde Criticizes Overlapping Activities with Prayer Times

Archbishop Elias Awde, the Metropolitan of Beirut and its suburbs for the Greek Orthodox Church, led the fifth Sunday liturgy of the Great Lent at St. George Cathedral, attended by a large crowd of believers. After the Gospel, he delivered a sermon in which he stated: “We are surprised every now and then as we come to church, either by a race, a marathon, or a recreational event that prevents believers from reaching the church. When we ask the city governor, he denies any knowledge of these activities. Isn't it enough that they don't know who blew up the capital, to have someone who is unaware of what is happening in it? Sunday is sacred in our Christian tradition, just as Friday is sacred for our Muslim brothers. Why aren't activities held at times that do not conflict with prayer times? Can't they organize events outside of prayer hours? Or at least avoid the routes leading to churches and temples? Prayer is a conversation with the Lord, and no one has the right to deprive a believer of talking to their Lord. What happened today is unacceptable, as it prevented priests and believers from reaching the church, which you see is empty. This is a sin we bear for those responsible for this city, and we hope it will not happen again. Who has the right to deny a person the freedom to go wherever they wish? Especially if they are heading to church?” He questioned: “Where are the officials of this country and others regarding the issue of true martyrdom, meaning the testimony of love, sacrifice, and the responsibility placed upon them? The children of the land are starving and suffering from poverty, fear, humiliation, and death, and might become martyrs, while they remain perched on their thrones, far from exercising true authority, service, and responsibility, enjoying the sights of spilled blood and savoring the suffering of the innocent, like the emperors of the early Christian era. The difference between the two times is that the emperors were pagans, while the emperors of our time claim to believe and defend it; yet they are nothing but worshippers of money and power. Would that they knew the meaning of repentance, prayer, and fasting, and understood that no matter how much wealth and possessions they accumulate, and no matter how tyrannical and powerful they become, they are incapable of adding a single day to their lives or removing any sickness or weakness from their loved ones. Regardless of their stature, they will stand before the Almighty Lord to give account, and the weak, poor, and despised whom they have scorned and denied love and mercy, may precede them into the kingdom, just as in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the poor. We all need God's mercy and forgiveness, but do we all deserve it?”