Video – Speech of the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

At the Recital "Your Sight On Our Homeland"

Under the patronage and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, represented by His Eminence Bishop Hanna Alwan, the Patriarchal Vicar General, a spiritual recital was held under the title “Your Sight On Our Homeland”. It was hosted by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), who delivered a speech for the occasion.

The recital was performed by the Journalist and Artist Dalia Freyfer, accompanied by the Musician Mr. Fadi Abi Hachem, on Friday 11 October 2024, in the Church of Christ the King - Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. Noting that it took place at the invitation and organization of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Pastoral Office for Persons with Disabilities (POPD) in the Maronite Patriarchate – Bkerke, Lebanon.

"Because the goodness of true patriotism imbued him with the fragrance of dignity and magnanimity, he carried his torch and walked—with light in his heart and light in his mind. He set out, guided by the light of divine providence—the lantern of the path—as a citizen who loves his land and is proud of it. Thus, he became a good citizen who seeks to devote his life to building the human person."

This is the blessed Abouna Yaacoub who lived his life believing in a homeland of love and goodness, belonging to a land cultivated by faith and holiness. He was proud of the beauty of his country and felt that the scent of incense permeated the slopes of valleys and villages, where prayers and hymns crowned the hills with the light of divine creativity. He loved his homeland and was captivated by its picturesque scenery.

He always repeated: "Lebanon is the home of fathers and grandfathers; it is a piece that fell from heaven to be the footrest of Christ upon His coming. Therefore, Christ blessed Lebanon on the day when He came to the borders of Tyre and Sidon, so Lebanon became the true rock of faith and the pure source of love."

He lived his life believing in a project that respects life—a human endeavor aimed at building the most beautiful. He was a person who sought to inscribe goodness on the pages of his daily life, a citizen armed with virtues, consecrated to the soil of his homeland, and respectful of its laws.

He wanted to shape a cohesive society rooted in faith and true patriotism. He contributed to building a society where his shining goals left a glimmer of beauty in the joy of humanity—the needy and the suffering—in building a good citizen and the homeland of the Christian person.

May we take the teachings of Father Jacob as guide, ignite the love of our homeland in our hearts, and strive to build our souls on the foundation of Christ. Then we become children of goodness, love, and peace. Then we raise the banners of truth and love. Then we build a homeland of faith and peace.

Your Eminence, Reverend Fathers, Virtuous Sisters,

Dear Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, Professor Michel Abs,

Distinguished Guests, Dear Colleagues in the General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches,

We welcome you to this blessed evening entitled "Your Sight on Our Homeland," under the patronage and blessing of His Beatitude and Eminence Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi. This event, organized by the Middle East Council of Churches and the Pastoral Office for People with Disabilities in the Maronite Patriarchal Department in Bkerke, is hosted by  Jesus the King church to spread the fragrance of peace, hope, and optimism amidst wars and crises.

This evening will be performed by media personality and hymn singer Dalia Freifer, accompanied by Mr. Fadi Abi Hashem, broadcasted by Tele Lumière—Noursat TV station, which has become like an Open Gospel throughout the world.

We begin this evening—which will include speeches, reflections, and hymns—with a heartfelt speech delivered by a prominent church personality in Lebanon and the area, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, Professor Michel Abs.