Syriac Maronite Parish of Ehden-Zgharta in Lebanon celebrates First Communion of dozens 90 pupils

ZGHARTA, Lebanon — The Syriac Maronite parish of Ehden-Zgharta in Lebanon celebrated the First Communion of 48 students from the Antonine School – Zgharta, Khalidiya, and other schools on Saturday, 29 April 2023. The event was ceremony was presided over by Monsignor Estephan Franjieh and assisted by deacons Raymond Elia and Edward Franjieh in the presence of the Antonine nuns, teaching staff, parents, and relatives.

Following the recitations of the Gospels, Monsignor Franjieh offered a prayer, stating, “Today we open our hearts and pray to Jesus who loved us, and we stand before Him and say to Him we have come to exchange the love You gave us.” He emphasized the importance of prayer and the need to be disciples of Jesus every Sunday of the week.

The following day, on Sunday, Father John Makhlouf presided over the Divine Liturgy for 42 students from the School of the Sisters of Charity – Zgharta and the School of the Carmelites – Majdalia, Dar Al-Nour, and Balamand. Carmelite Father Joseph Shalala assisted during the ceremony, which occurred in the presence of the administrative and educational staff and the parents.

“Jesus today blesses bread and wine and we give it to your children, for the Eucharist is a great blessing,” said Father Makhlouf in his sermon. “Your children today are the likeness of Jesus Christ, so our Christian life is to imitate Jesus.”

Finally, the children and their families partook in the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion for the first time and certificates were distributed to them.