20/08/2024

Conflict between Israel and Hezbollah disrupts Assumption Day celebrations in southern Lebanon

AIN EBEL, Lebanon — In a stark departure from tradition, members of the Syriac Maronite Church in Ain Ebel, a city in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border, were unable to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary as they usually do. The city, typically filled with thousands of believers from across the country for the annual celebration, remained quiet this year. The ongoing conflict and the sounds of rockets and missiles forced Christians to stay in their villages, avoiding the usual pilgrimage to the city.

“People are happy, but they are living with great sadness,” a local resident stated, expressing the mixed emotions of the community. “All the roads are closed, and no one can go out. This year, the city’s residents are celebrating alone.”

Syriac Maronite Patriarch or Bechara Boutros al-Rai voiced his concerns about Lebanon’s future, warning that peace and security in the country are threatened by the dominance of Hezbollah. “Lebanon under the rule of one party is not Lebanon,” he stated. “A Lebanon that is forced to implement the opinion of one group is not Lebanon.”

Meanwhile, in Beirut, demonstrations took place coinciding with the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, protesting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. These protests were the first of their kind since the clashes between the two sides began.

Despite tensions across the region, celebrations of the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary were held throughout Beth Nahrin (Mespopotamia).

In Syria, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was celebrated in Tel Tamr, the largest town in the Syriac–Assyrian Khabur River Valley, where the faithful gathered in the churches of Tel Nasri. The Divine Mass was led by Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of the Diocese of Gozarto (Jazira) and Euphrates Mor Maurice Amsih in Tel Wardiyat. He emphasized the importance of celebrating the feasts of saints, even amidst challenging times.

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary was also observed in the historic Tur Abdin region in southern Turkey. Prayer services were held in the village of Hah near Medyad (Midyat). Led by Syriac Orthodox Bishop of Tur Abdin Mor Samuel Aktash, the service was attended by members of clergy and a crowd of believers.