Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Rai and Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Metropolitan Audi call on Lebanese to embrace faith and reform

BEIRUT — “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves,” read Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai. “Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” With this verse from the Holy Gospel, the Patriarch opened his sermon on Sunday, 13 July 2025, during the celebration of the Day of Spouses and the Family.

Referring to Christ’s words to His disciples and the Church, Patriarch al-Rai warned that persecution awaits those who proclaim the truth and uphold holiness. He emphasized that wisdom — one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit — is essential, especially in light of the crises currently surrounding both the Church and the family. He described the family as the steadfast core of society: a fortress and the first, natural school of values. When a family is rooted in faith, he said, the foundation for a strong nation is laid.

On the same day, the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Bishop Elias Audi, delivered a sermon urging all Lebanese to unite under one national banner and to fully implement the constitution with clarity and transparency, without delay. He warned that a state in which the constitution is not enforced is one vulnerable to fragmentation and collapse.

Audi called on the government to fulfill its obligations and undertake the necessary reforms, legislation, and appointments based on firm, transparent principles. He expressed hope that the coming weeks would bring signs of progress toward resolving Lebanon’s prolonged political and economic instability.

The messages from Patriarch al-Rai and Metropolitan Audi comes following the visit of US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack to Lebanon. During his trip, Barrack reportedly presented a list of demands, including the disarmament of Iran-backed Hezbollah, the implementation of economic reforms, and efforts to improve relations with Syria.

Last week, Barrack posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying:

“Lebanon’s hope is awakening, and the opportunity is now. This is a historic moment to move beyond the tensions of sectarianism and to fulfill Lebanon’s true promise — of one country, one people, and one army.”