Lebanon's Christians: Holding On Amidst Change

The Monastery of Mar Maroun

Nestled in the mountains, the Monastery of Mar Maroun overlooks the Mediterranean. It is a place where ancient traditions meet modern challenges.

• Language of Faith: The congregation sings hymns in Syriac, a language close to the one Jesus spoke.
• Papal Visit: The monastery is one of the stops for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit.

Christianity in Lebanon

• Ancient Roots: Christianity in Lebanon has deep historical roots.
• Waning Influence: The community feels its influence diminishing as many Christians move abroad.
• Recent Crises:
• Economic collapse
• Beirut port blast
• Ongoing tensions with Israel

Sectarian Dynamics

• Recognized Faiths: Lebanon is home to 18 recognized faiths.
• Shia Influence: The Shia community has grown in numbers and power, with Hezbollah being a key player.
• Christian Concerns: Thérèse Hanna, a woman in her seventies, expresses concerns about the growing Shia influence.

Historical Context

• 1997 Papal Visit: A time of hope as Lebanon recovered from civil war.
• Past Decade: Tough times with economic struggles and ongoing conflicts.
• Israeli Airstrikes: Frequent and tensions along the border remain high.

Pope Leo's Visit

• Significance: Brief but significant, meeting with faith and political leaders.
• Large Mass: To be held on the Beirut waterfront, built on rubble from the civil war.
• Symbolism: The waterfront symbolizes both destruction and resilience.
• Hope: Lebanese people like Souad and Fadi Khoury remain hopeful, seeing the Pope's visit as a sign of strength and faith.