Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Rai calls for national renewal during Pentecost sermon in Lebanon

BETH KERKE, Lebanon — During the Pentecost Sunday sermon at Beth Kerke (Bkerké), Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Butros al-Rai called for the Lebanese people to embrace the Holy Spirit’s transformative power to renew civic energy and foster a deeper sense of national and social responsibility. 

“The occasion is not merely a spiritual event but a catalyst for societal transformation and renewal,” Patriarch al-Rai said while extending his congratulations to the faithful. 

Acknowledging Lebanon’s present struggles, he referred to it as a “time of challenges” yet also one of “new opportunities and enduring hope.” Al-Rai emphasized the urgent need for the Holy Spirit’s inspiration to rekindle citizens’ commitment to their nation, rebuild trust after years of disillusionment, and reform political discourse by transcending divisive rhetoric and self-serving agendas. He stressed the importance of reviving a collective national conscience to prioritize the common good. 

The Patriarch addressed critical issues afflicting Lebanon, including the people’s yearning for authentic leadership, institutional stability, and genuine cooperation among the country’s diverse communities. He also highlighted the necessity of reinvigorating state institutions to restore functionality and public trust. 

Despite mounting pressures, Patriarch al-Rai affirmed the Lebanese people’s steadfast commitment to faith, openness, and Lebanon’s historic mission as a “land of peace and coexistence” in the Middle East. 

Concluding his sermon, al-Rai urged the faithful to embody the spirit of Pentecost by serving society with love, tolerance, and dedication. He encouraged all Lebanese people to become “ambassadors of a new Pentecost,” inspiring unity and hope across the nation.