Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai (center) during New Year's Mass in Bkirki. (Credit: National News Agency)
During his homily delivered in Bkirki on the occasion of the New Year's Mass, Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai stated that peace in Lebanon must be "built from within," with the participation of all components of its population, as the issue of Hezbollah's disarmament continues to create internal tensions, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
"Peace is not given ready-made; it is built from within, through a consensual national decision, through a culture of life, and with external support that helps build the state, strengthen its institutions and consolidate its foundations, so that it may be a country that protects its people and its land," the religious leader said.
Also, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Audi presided over the Eucharistic liturgy at St. George Cathedral and called on the Lebanese to "change" in order to get the crisis-hit country, struggling since 2019, back on track, according to NNA.
"In our country, Lebanon, where we witness every day the consequences of mismanagement, corruption, and harm done to the land, sea, and air, the message of this feast becomes even more urgent. The new year will change nothing if we do not change ourselves," Audi said, also calling for "calm" and "reconciliation."
