Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Rai urges Lebanon to embrace neutrality and revival on Saint Maron’s Feast

BEIRUT — Syriac Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai called for Lebanon to maintain positive neutrality in regional conflicts while aligning itself with the principles of civilization, progress, and revival. His appeal came during a sermon at Sunday Mass in celebration of the feast of Saint Maron.

National Celebration in Beirut

The Patriarch presided over the liturgy at St. George Cathedral in Beirut, commemorating the feast of the patron saint of the Maronite Syriac Church. The event drew a distinguished audience, including President Joseph Aoun and First Lady Nehmat Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and his wife Sahar Baasiri, along with political leaders, diplomats, military officials, and religious figures.

In his sermon, Patriarch al-Rai addressed President Aoun directly, saying:

“Your Excellency, you have restored the national significance of this feast by assuming the presidency after more than two years of vacancy. Your election has renewed the Lebanese people’s confidence in leadership and reassured both Arab and Western nations. This trust was further strengthened yesterday with the formation of a new government described as one of reform and recovery. We congratulate you, Your Excellency, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the new ministers, all of whom bring promising potential. We wish them success in the great challenges that lie ahead.”

Warning Against Decline

The Patriarch cautioned against Lebanon’s potential slide into what he described as an “axis of decline.” While advocating neutrality in regional disputes, he stressed the importance of cultural and economic resurgence to safeguard Lebanon’s future.

He continued:

“The true threat to Lebanon is not just war but stagnation and regression. As we remain neutral in regional conflicts, we must decisively align with civilization, revival, and progress. Neutrality is not merely a strategy for preserving Lebanon; it is a tool to protect its unity. Lebanon will endure, but we strive for a Lebanon that belongs to all of us — a nation that serves as a beacon of peace, a crossroads of cultures, and a driving force for fraternity across the Mediterranean. It must embody and share the values of faiths.”

Call for a Unified Future

The Patriarch’s message resonated deeply in a country still grappling with political gridlock, economic hardships, and societal divisions. As Lebanon embarks on a new phase of governance under a newly elected president and government, the question remains whether the nation will embrace the Patriarch’s call to redefine its identity as a global symbol of progress, unity, and coexistence.