At 7 p.m. today, the flame of the Holy Light from the tomb of Christ in Jerusalem arrived in Lebanon aboard a Lebanese Army helicopter that landed at the helipad of Baabda Palace, coming from Cyprus, where the flame had arrived by air from Jerusalem.
Accompanying the flame were Archimandrite George Yacoub, representing Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X, and Georges Semaan, administrative director of the Orthodox Gathering. The flame was received at the Baabda Palace helipad by Minister of National Defense Major General Michel Menassa and a delegation of Orthodox clergy that included Archimandrite Porphyrios Ibrahim from the Zahle Archdiocese, Father Joseph Khoury from the South Archdiocese, Father Nektarios Khairallah from the Beirut Archdiocese, and Father Harith Ibrahim from the Mount Lebanon Archdiocese. Also present to receive it was the secretary-general of the Orthodox Gathering, former MP Marwan Abu Fadel, heading a delegation from the group that included Samir Naimeh, Joseph Matar, and retired Brigadier General Gabriel Al-Sanea.
Amid hymns, the flame was transferred from the helicopter to one of the halls, where the religious delegation held prayers. Archimandrite Yacoub then delivered remarks conveying the greetings of Patriarch John X, saying:
"Beloved ones, on this blessed evening, I must convey to you the blessing, love, and prayers of our father, His Beatitude Patriarch John X, who entrusted me, despite my unworthiness, to go to Cyprus and bring the Holy Light coming from the Holy Tomb. In his name, and on this glorious occasion, I first extend congratulations to His Excellency President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, and to all the officials in this country. I also congratulate all Lebanese, of all backgrounds, Muslims and Christians alike, and I raise prayer to the Lord, through the intercession of our Patriarch, and through the prayers of the metropolitans, members of the Holy Antiochian Synod, and all the fathers present with us, that He may illumine this country with the light of divine knowledge, and sow peace, love, and reassurance in the hearts of all Lebanese, who long for peace and love goodness and every righteous deed.
Blessed evening, glorious Easter, and may you be well every year. I also extend, in my personal name, thanks to everyone who contributed and helped in bringing to completion this grace and blessing that has reached this country."
Former MP Abu Fadel then spoke, saying:
"As difficulties prevail, His Excellency President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun took the initiative, for the second time, and the transfer of the Holy Light to Lebanon was secured on the basis of his directives. To him, from all of us, go our deepest thanks, appreciation, and respect. I am certain that he will steer the Lebanese ship to safe harbor despite the storms and their consequences. President Aoun is a president who transcends sects and denominations, and he deserves for his tenure to be one of prosperity. It must become so after the difficult phase he is leading, and we renew our confidence in him and in what he is doing for the good of this country. We extend our thanks, appreciation, and respect to His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, who also took the initiative to coordinate with the head of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus so that the Lebanese might receive the blessing of this Holy Light.
Through you, Your Excellency the Minister of Defense, upright in judgment, we express our appreciation to the military institution for the sacrifices it makes for the homeland. Here, we must also thank Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, who tasked the Air Force Command with transporting the Holy Light by military helicopter. The mission was accomplished as you can see, and thank God Lebanon has seen the light. I thank Cypriot Justice Minister Costas Vediris, Bishop Theotatos, representative of the Patriarch of Jerusalem in Cyprus, and Archimandrite Stylianos, vicar of the Metropolitan of Larnaca, for their warm reception of His Beatitude's representative, Father George Yacoub, and the representative of the Orthodox Gathering who accompanied the flame on the helicopter, brother Georges Semaan.
I also thank Archimandrite George Yacoub, head of Balamand Monastery, Archimandrite Porphyrios, Fathers Nektarios, Joseph, Harith, Dimitri, and Justinus, Brigadier General Gabriel Al-Sanea, Secretary Samir Naimeh, Administrative Director Georges Semaan, and Mr. Joe Matar. Finally, I thank my brother and friend Brigadier General Andre Rahal, special adviser to His Excellency the President, who enabled full coordination with us so that this blessed transfer might succeed under the directives of the President of the Republic. I also thank the Director of Media at the Presidency of the Republic, Mr. Rafic Chalala, for the direct media coverage he provided for this exceptional event, which takes place once a year during the Orthodox holidays.
And we will continue to say in this الوطن: Christ is risen, truly risen."
Following the conclusion of the reception ceremony, the Holy Flame departed Baabda Palace, from where the Holy Light will be distributed to Lebanese churches, parishes, and the faithful.
It is worth noting that the Holy Light emanated at 2:15 p.m. Beirut time today from Christ's tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the flame was flown to Larnaca and from there to Lebanon.
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