Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Meet the Patriarch!
In his homily, Patriarch Rai called attention to the significance of the date, March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, pointing out that it was instituted in 2010 as a national holiday in Lebanon because it is holy to Christians and Muslims.
The patriarch also noted the special meaning of the Annunciation for him personally, as he was baptized on the feast at the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in the village of Chouya, Lebanon, 71 years ago. His name, “Bechara,” means “Annunciation” in Arabic.
Our Lady is honored by both Christians and Muslims, hence the national Lebanese holiday on March 25, Feast of the Annunciation, also day of Muslim-Christian unity. Perhaps Our Lady will be a guiding light to unity and peace between these two faiths. Let's pray for peace, continued dialogue, and an end to persecution.
Labels: Islam, Lebanon, Maronite, middle east
