Rai Praises Mount Athos Heritage and Criticizes State Neglect of Qadisha Valley

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai concluded his religious visit to the holy Mount Athos in Greece, after visiting the headquarters of the Holy Community in Karyes, where he met its head, Father Georgios. He also visited a number of monasteries and met their abbots and monastic communities.

The final stop was at Simonopetra Monastery, where its abbot, Father Elisha, prepared a special reception for Patriarch Rai in the monastery courtyard, attended by a large number of members of the monastic community, which includes about 65 monks, among them Lebanese monks and others proficient in Arabic.

Rai and the accompanying delegation toured the historic monastery, founded approximately 1,100 years ago, whose monks celebrated its millennium in 1963.

After an exchange of symbolic gifts, an expanded meeting was held in the monastery salon, addressing ecumenical relations and prospects for cooperation between churches to confront contemporary challenges threatening youth and family worldwide. Key milestones from the history of Mount Athos were reviewed, including Emperor Theodosius's role in building Vatopedi Monastery, while tradition indicates his contribution to building Our Lady of Qannoubine Monastery in the fourth century as well.

Patriarch Rai explained the organizational structure of the Maronite Church and, in turn, learned about the monastic system adopted on Mount Athos.

Subsequently, Patriarch Rai and the accompanying delegation left Mount Athos by sea heading to the capital Athens, to begin the second part of their visit to Greece, focusing on pastoral and ecumenical aspects.

Upon leaving the holy Mount Athos in Greece, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai said: "It was a distinctive and moving opportunity that allowed me to learn more about the depth of the spiritual experience and cultural heritage embraced by the Holy Mountain. I also discovered the richness of the heritage treasures created by the consecrated fathers of the mountain and preserved as a legacy for the universal church and all humanity. This heritage mirrors our religious heritage in Lebanon, particularly in the Holy Valley, Qadisha Valley, classified on the World Heritage List, just like Mount Athos. But unfortunately, there is a significant difference between them, as the Holy Mountain bustles with life and enjoys conditions for living, development, and construction, while our resources are emptied of their inhabitants due to neglect and emigration, despite the great heritage they created, because of the absence of the state in assuming its responsibilities."

He added: "We were deeply moved by this visit and return with greater spiritual depth and filled with spiritual experience. We appreciate the generous spirit of hospitality reflecting brotherhood, and we value our immersion in the rich daily spiritual life experience, which constitutes a pioneering human experiment. We feel that the monasteries of Mount Athos embody a witness to the Church of Christ that unites us, and we hope to enhance cooperation based on this visit, which deepened within us the feeling that we are brothers in the Church that embraces us. We were very pleased by the presence of a group of consecrated Lebanese monks on this Holy Mountain."

Rai once again reiterated his invitation to the heads of the Mount Athos monasteries whom he met, and to others, to visit Lebanon, affirming "his determination to follow up on this invitation."

Athens

In Athens, he met Archbishop of Greece Ieronymos, discussing ecumenical relations among various Christian components, the situation in Lebanon from different angles, and the phenomenon of migration threatening families, groups, and social fabric in several countries. Rai extended an invitation to the Archbishop to visit Lebanon, similar to previous invitations extended to the heads of Mount Athos monasteries, noting that coordination would be done with Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi.

Additionally, Patriarch Rai met with the Latin Bishop of Athens, discussing pastoral affairs.

In the evening, the Lebanese Ambassador to Greece, Kenj Al-Hajel, hosted a dinner in honor of Patriarch Rai, attended by Consul General Queen Salameh and a number of prominent figures of the Lebanese community residing in Greece, along with Lebanese who came specifically for the patriarchal visit.