Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Boutros al-Raï urges Lebanese youth to embrace their homeland and stay

BETH KERKE, Lebanon — In an annual anniversary meeting with members of the Church’s Youth Pastoral Office, Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Boutros al-Raï heard about their problems and their reasons for considering emigration. He encouraged the Church’s youth to stay in Lebanon.

The Syriac Patriarch reminded them that all countries went through difficult circumstances, but in the end the people win: “It is necessary to resist until victory. And our youth is the main pillar in building the nation,” said Mor Bechara Boutros al-Raï.

Related: To Resist Again or Leave?

The Syriac Patriarch also received a delegation from the Lebanese Kataeb Party, headed by deputy head of the party Salim al-Sayegh, and several officials of Keserwan al-Futuh and Jbeil regions. The visiting Phalange delegation congratulated the Patriarch on Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany. The Phalange party members renewed their support for the Patriarch’s patriotic stances, which consolidate the coming generations in Lebanon.

Mor Bechara also received the Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate Archbishop George Assadourian, and a delegation from the Saint Mansour Charitable Association.