Here is the South of Lebanon, resilient despite all the wars and tragedies... Today, it rejoices with the good news revealed by the visit of the Maronite Patriarch, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, who toured its land and sowed hope among its people, emphasizing the importance of "communion and love," the slogan he has carried in word and deed since assuming his Patriarchal service.

The Maronite Patriarch returned to the South of Lebanon for a full-day Pastoral visit on Sunday, September 28, 2025, which included several villages and towns within the Maronite Archdiocese of Tyre. His Beatitude was accompanied by Their Eminences Bishop Hanna Alwan, Bishop Elias Nassar, and the Pastor of the Diocese of Tyre Bishop Charbel Abdallah.

Patriarch Al-Rai's visit stressed the importance of perseverance, steadfastness, and facing all difficult circumstances with great faith and hope. This visit affirmed that the South needs the solidarity of all its people, regardless of their Sect, especially after the wave of displacement that has affected its towns.

Cooperation and solidarity

The visit began in the town of Jarmaq, where a large reception was held for His Beatitude in front of St. Maron Church. He then entered the Church, where a Special Prayer was held and welcoming speeches were delivered by the Parish priest and Mayor Nabil Chedid. As well as, Patriarch Al-Rai delivered a speech of thanks and love, emphasizing the importance of adhering to faith and roots, saying, "The South is the heartbeat of Lebanon."

In an atmosphere filled with hope, His Beatitude then headed to Aishiyeh, where he was welcomed by a crowd of townspeople at Our Lady Church. Everyone then moved to the Church and listened to welcoming speeches delivered by the Parish Priest Father Simon Kesrouani, and the Mayor Marcel Aoun. In his speech, Patriarch Al-Rai called for steadfastness in faith and rootedness in the land. The meeting concluded with a joint prayer.

The next stop was in kouba, where Patriarch Al-Rai praised the townspeople's adherence to their land, emphasizing that "the town of Kouba has endured because it must always survive and resist to preserve its heritage, land, and existence." He raised his Prayers for peace, adding, "War is against all humanity. It is destruction, devastation, and displacement, nothing more. Therefore, we pray for lasting and just peace for Lebanon and the region."

His Beatitude then met with Religious Leaders in the town of Ebel El Saqi, before heading to the town of Jdeidet Marjeyoun, where he was warmly welcomed in front of Our Lady of Salvation Maronite Church, in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Elias Kfoury, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tyre, Sidon, and Dependencies, social and official personalities, and crowds of believers. Welcoming remarks were delivered at the Church by the Parish Priest Father Hanna Al Khoury, and the Mayor Sari Gholmieh.

Survival and resilience

The sixth stop was in the town of Qlayaa, where His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rai presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. George's Church. In his Sermon, he noted, "The South today reminds all of Lebanon of its mission and reminds us that salvation, as the Gospel says, is for those who are patient and persevere until the end."

He continued, "Despite all the losses, you have remained standing, clinging to your land, your homes, your institutions, your schools, your Churches, and your places of Worship. You bear witness that this land is not for sale or surrender. You have paid a heavy price, yes, but you have affirmed with your tears and steadfastness that the South is alive and that Lebanon will not die. The blood of your martyrs and your Prayers, your tears, and your patience are a testimony of faith that the Lord does not abandon his people and grants them the strength to rebuild what has been destroyed and rise again."

He added, "The South is not just a region of Lebanon, but rather its beating heart. What the South is experiencing is experienced by all of Lebanon. The suffering of its people from wars, their loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods, and the exodus of emigration, all reflect the crisis of an entire nation. Therefore, the steadfastness of the people of the South is the steadfastness of all of Lebanon, and their sacrifices are sacrifices in the name of the entire Lebanese nation."

From Qlayaa, Patriarch Al-Rai headed to Nabatieh, where he visited the School and Convent of the Antonine Nuns of Nabatieh. He met with the teaching and administrative staff and inspected the damage of the Secondary School buildings caused by airstrikes that targeted its surroundings. His Beatitude addressed the Nuns, saying, "We are keen, along with the Nuns, to ensure the survival of this school. It must remain, no matter the cost. It must remain because we live together in Lebanon, and here they learn coexistence and loyalty, how to live together with different Sects and Religions."

Afterwards, Patriarch Al-Rai visited the town of Kfour, where he led the Prayer Service in its Church and delivered a speech in which he said: "As Maronites, Sunnis and Shiites, I salute the fact that you are living this national unity here in Kfour, bearing a common concern: the concern for return, the concern for escaping devastation and destruction, and the concern for rebuilding all towns..."

After visiting the towns of Kfoureh and Hajjeh, His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rai concluded his Pastoral visit within the Maronite Archdiocese of Tyre - South Lebanon, in the town of Addousiyeh. A meeting was held inside the Church, which included a special hymn, welcoming speeches, and a speech delivered by Patriarch Al-Rai, who expressed his gratitude for "the steadfastness of the people of the South in their land despite the challenges," emphasizing that "the steadfastness of these villages is a testament to faith and loyalty to the homeland."

The visit of His Beatitude, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, to the South of Lebanon brought with it much joy and hope, and stressed the need for solidarity, cooperation, and building bridges between all Sects and components of society in order to work together to develop Lebanon and build a promising future for all its citizens.