Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rai led a celebratory mass at St. George's Church in Ehden for the feast of Blessed Patriarch Mar Estephan Boutros El Douaihy's birth. He was joined by Bishops Hanna Alwan and Joseph Naffah, Monsignor Estephan Frangieh, and a host of priests, in the presence of MPs Tony Frangieh and Michel Douaihy, among other notable figures, and representatives from various religious and social movements.
In his sermon titled "Today Salvation Has Come to This House," Rai reflected on the transformation of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, as he sought Jesus. He emphasized that salvation changes hearts and relationships rather than merely improving outward appearances.
Rai also drew parallels between the Biblical story and Blessed Patriarch Estephan Douaihy, who left Ehden in pursuit of knowledge and returned to spread faith and enlightenment within the Maronite Church.
The Patriarch highlighted the challenges Lebanon faces today, citing ongoing political, security, and economic crises, and emphasized the need for prioritizing national interest over personal gain. He called for politics to be a means to serve the common good, transforming governance into a bastion of justice and the economy into a guarantee of families' dignity and youth's future.
He reiterated support for the ongoing efforts to restore peace and state sovereignty across Lebanon, emphasizing the Lebanese Army's critical role in safeguarding national unity and ensuring order.
As the anniversary of the Beirut Port explosion approaches, Rai stressed the importance of justice for the victims and transparency in the investigation, underscoring that the truth must not be buried beneath the rubble.
The patriarch concluded with a prayer, invoking the intercession of Blessed Estephan Douaihy for grace and salvation.