Patriarch Raï Arrives in Melbourne at the Beginning of His Australian Visit

Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Beshara Raï, arrived in Australia today, Friday, for a visit that includes Sydney and Melbourne, lasting until September 24. Accompanying Patriarch Raï were Bishop Paul Sayyah and the Director of the Media and Protocol Office at the Patriarchal See, Walid Ghayad. He was welcomed at Melbourne International Airport by the Maronite Bishop of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay, the Consul General of Lebanon, Ziad Aitani, the honorary Consul of Lebanon in the Australian state of Tasmania, Fadi Zouq, the regional deputy Monsignor Marcelino Youssef, Monsignor Joseph Taqshi, parish priest of Our Lady of Lebanon in Melbourne, Father Richard Jabbour, and Father Johnny Saba, along with the Director of the National News Agency in Australia, Said Makhayel. The honor lounge was opened to receive Patriarch Raï, who was also accompanied by several officials from the federal police and Victoria police.