The Syriac Catholic Church in Beirut, Living the Tragedy Alongside its Parish

His Eminence Bishop Mathias Charles Mrad: ‘August 4 was a hard test that we passed with faith and solidarity’

This interview is also available in Arabic.

On the first commemoration of the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches published a special issue of its quarterly magazine “Al Muntada” in August 2021, entitled "Beirut, in the Heart of the Church, Beirut, a City of Resurrection". The issue includes an exclusive interview with His Eminence Bishop Mathias Charles Mrad, Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Vicar of Eparchy of Beirut, Our Lady of Annunciation Syriac Catholic Cathedral. It focuses on the humanitarian and material damages caused to the Syriac Catholic Church in Beirut, and on its role in helping its affected children and healing their wounds on many levels.

It was destroyed and went through pain alongside its children, it mourned and cried with them in times of despair, then it rose and held on to its hope in Jesus Christ. Indeed, these are the churches of Beirut, houses od God, the one safe refuge, source of faith and resilience amidst the tragedy and loss that took over Lebanon on August 4,2020. A date holding a memory of death, despair, distress, and fear… however, churches refused to surrender and chose to rise, as once did Jesus Christ.

The churches of Beirut weren’t spared from the explosion destruction. Each was severely damaged to its core, as it suffered the unbearable losses of its children. All these churches went through hardships, but they stood alongside their parishes till this day, facing the blast implications, as a brave mother would stand by its children.

As did the Syriac Catholic Church in Beirut, bearing its cross with great hope, under the patronage of His Eminence Bishop Mathias Charles Mrad, Syriac Catholic Patriarchal Vicar of Eparchy of Beirut, Our Lady of Annunciation Syriac Catholic Cathedral, surrendering its fate in God’s hands. What kind of damages did it suffer from? Which initiatives help saving it? what about its children? Questions we had to look for their answers in that unfortunate day, as we remember what the Syriac Catholic Church did to face this trying hardship.

We visit the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese near the Beirut Museum, where we are greeted by Bishop Charles Mrad. We take a trip down memory lane with him to remember what the church went through on the day of the blast.

He revisits these atrocious moments with us, saying: “At first we didn’t know what was going on. We thought there was a bomb dropped in the neighborhood behind the Cathedral since we saw it was destroyed heavily and lost its windows and doors… the Archdiocese suffered the same fate. However, we soon realized how serious the explosion and its implications were through the media.”

He continues: “we immediately started contacting our parish in Beirut and near the port to check on them, and some people called us asking for help. Our first move was to visit our parish children, give them moral support, and ask about their needs. This is how the Church presence was a positive support for people.” Then Bishop Mrad talks about the steps that followed: “Nongovernmental organizations started their relief duties to help people with damaged homes, while the youth launched its field work to assist the biggest number of people possible. They also cooperated with Beirut parishes priests to visit Beiruties and pray with them, supporting them morally and financially.”

Was the Syriac Catholic Church able to assist people all alone or did it seek help from other initiatives? Bishop Mrad answers: “The Syriac community from all over the world started sending donations immediately, like the churches of Suede, Canada, and Belgium for instance, we also received individual financial donations to rehabilitate the church and assist families.”

He adds: “Needs were diversed, but we managed as a church, with our capabilities, to help around 50 to 60 houses secure their daily necessities and electronic supplies like fridges, TVs, washing machines, and stoves… with the help of organizations working on the rehabilitation of houses. The church was the mediator between the people and the organizations, keeping records of the people’s needs and distributing donations.”

“The charitable association of the Syriac Church was also present, as it helped people pay rent and school fees and secured medicine and medical services… let’s not forget that after August 4 the economic crisis worsened in the country.”

Bishop Mrad is saddened by the total absence of the State during the phase we went through after the explosion. He wishes it had put a little effort and done its job towards the Lebanese people. Did the Church play the role of the State in its relief plans? The Bishop stresses that: “the Church played a great role within its limited capabilities, and was able to provide where the State wouldn’t on many occasions.” Those who broke his heart the most were the people who used to help others and became needy of help themselves due to the bank and economic crisis.”

Bishop Mrad explains: “Indeed, material donations are important and necessary, but families also need someone who checks on them, who listens and comforts them with words that would heal their broken hearts. I started visiting the people of the parish myself to help them feel the presence of their church. This initiative spread happiness and joy among many of them… The Archdiocese’s doors were always open for every person in need, no protocols, for the church’s mission is to serve humanity.”

The Bishop explains how he is constantly working on improving his relationship with Syriac believers through a continuous communication between them: “They know that their church will be there for them, not just in facing the consequences of the blast.” He tells us: “Syriac Christians live all over Lebanon and usually go to the closest church to celebrate Sunday’s mass, but they always come back to their one and only church near the museum on big liturgic celebrations, knowing its their one and only home and refuge.” This is how the Syriac Catholic Church became the safety net of its community, no matter where they are.

Bishop Mrad concludes his story by going back to where time froze, to the unexpected tragedy, and describes the people back then: “They lost their joy and entered in a state of despair. It was not easy for them to lose the memories they built and the things they owned, especially their houses, their warm and safe houses with which they lost their dignity. The people affected by the explosion felt so broken inside that it started to greatly affect their lives. The conditions surrounding them sunk them deeper into depression.”

Bishop Charles Mrad adds with great hope: “Our Lord Jesus Christ knows what we keep in our hearts. August 4 was a test for everyone of us. It gave us the opportunity to rethink our outlook on life and brought us together, but more importantly, it strengthened our faith.”

We boast of faith that was always divine, “Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5: 3-5)

Communication and Public Relations Department