Rai Leaves Diman: Our Identity Is Carved on These Roads

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi left the Patriarchal See in Diman, concluding his summer residence in the Holy Valley. He was bid farewell by the Patriarchal Vicar Father Tony Al-Agha, the Secretary of the Court Father Khalil Arab, and the administrative staff and workers at the summer residence, along with several journalists who wished him continued health and sought his paternal blessing.

During his departure from the patriarchal wing, Rai greeted the residents of the Patriarchal Vicariate who "witness, through their lives and steadfastness, to the value of this holy land." He said: "We have finished our summer vacation in this place that embraces all our history, in this Holy Valley where apostles and patriarchs lived for four hundred years, preserving their freedom and faith there, and this people still carry the same message and continue it here."

He added: "We want to greet all the families living in Jibbeh, Bsharri, Ehden, and the various villages of this region belonging to the Patriarchal Diocese, because they witness here, through their lives and steadfastness, to the value of this land. This is our history here, and here, when we return, we find our identity, our identity written on the rocks and carved on these roads. The Maronites wrote their history on the land of Lebanon."

He continued: "Here is the Cedar of God, here is Qadisha Valley, here is the Cave of Qadisha, and here is all our history. Without this history, where would we be today? We would have no origin or roots. Therefore, I want to greet this entire region and all its inhabitants, because they preserve our identity and our roots. May God bless you and be with you, and may our love remain with you always."