The Holy Family Icon Blesses the Middle East Council of Churches in Beirut
One of the stops of the blessed pilgrimage of the Holy Family Icon to Lebanon was the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches in Beirut, where it was received by the Council’s Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs and the Council's team.
The icon was accompanied by the Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Vicar of Eparchy of Beirut and Head of the organizing committee for the icon’s visits, emanating from the "Justice and Peace" committee, His Eminence Bishop Mathias Charles Mrad, and the General Coordinator of the committee Mrs. Suzy Hajj.
The icon of peace and unity was displayed at the center of the conference room and surrounded by an atmosphere of prayer, hope, and fraternity. Prayers were recited and hymns were sung from different Church families on behalf of our wounded East, for peace and unity to prevail.
The meeting included a welcoming speech from Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs who praised this blessed visit, expressing the pain of the people of the East, especially Christians, amidst the conflicts they live in and their longing for a dignified and safe life. H. E Bishop Mrad gave a speech in which he presented the meanings of the icon and its visit to Lebanon at a time the East was celebrating the Holy Family.
The icon of the Holy Family was blessed and encrusted with relics from the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. It is now completing its visits in Lebanon to then continue its journey throughout Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Jordan, and finally return to the Holy Land and then to the Vatican at the end of the Year of Saint Joseph.
