Lebanon is facing serious challenges. In the last few months, the dire conditions created by the coronavirus pandemic were followed by a financial crisis. Naturally, the Armenian community, among the main ones that make up the Lebanese population, was also exposed to the consequences of the aforementioned crises. Despite the difficult situation for the Lebanese Armenians in the financial, educational, social and other fields, our religious and community organizations did everything within their possibilities, with a high sense of responsibility, to help our community. However, the terrible explosion that happened on Tuesday in the port of Beirut further aggravated the difficulties that Lebanon as well as our community face. 

Indeed, as soon as we heard the blast we headed for the Armenian neighborhoods and witnessed the desperate situation: destroyed or heavily damaged churches, community centers, shops and, more tragically, the dead and many injured people. The scale and nature of the destruction were unprecedented in the history of Lebanon. 

Yesterday [Tuesday, August 4] and today we had meetings with community officials to learn in more detail about the state of the injured and the material damages. We received telephone calls from our high-ranking state, religious and political officials. Hence, taking into account the central place of the Lebanese Armenians in the context of the Armenian world and, especially, the Diaspora, we consider the reconstruction of this important community to be urgent and imperative.

The restoration of the destroyed or damaged homes is urgent. We have to provide for the health of our community members, who are exposed to the coronavirus pandemic. The support of our educational organizations is imperative. The help of our community, religious, cultural, beneficent and other organizations is vital. We must consider the reconstruction work of our community from a comprehensive perspective.

In this regard, we want to emphasize especially the following points: 

1) The reconstruction of the Lebanese Armenian community must be carried out as an all-Armenian effort, with the active participation of the homeland, the Diaspora and, in general, the sons and daughters of our nation. The crisis is big. Therefore, our response must be proportionate, organized and consequent.

2) The assistance to be provided to the Lebanese Armenians will include every member of our community without any restrictions.

3) A committee will be set up under the chairmanship of the Armenian Prelate of Lebanon, with the participation of the three denominations, the three political parties and the three charities to organize the reconstruction work.

 

4) According to the priorities, the committee will determine the magnitude of aid and the timeline to provide relief for the following endeavors: renovation of homes and community centers; healthcare plans, and educational aid.

5) An account has been opened in Geneva (Switzerland) for donations in support of the Armenian community of Lebanon:

All donations will be transferred via the Catholicosate to the special committee functioning under the sponsorship of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon

Every donation must be posted to this account so that they can be forwarded through the Catholicosate to the aforementioned committee operating under the supervision of the Prelacy.

As the apostle says, if one member suffers, all suffer together with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). The pain of the Lebanese Armenians is the pain of the entire Armenian people. Today the sons and daughters of the Armenian nation are called to support the Armenians of Lebanon, not only to mitigate its pain, but also to enable it to continue its mission to serve the entire Armenian nation with renewed vitality and devotion.

With this expectation and Patriarchal blessings we salute the dear sons and daughters of our people and pray to the Most High God that the life of our people may bloom thanks to His heavenly munificence.

 

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

 

 

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."  

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"  
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins " He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

This Sunday (August 9) is the Paregentan , or Eve of the Fast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. This is a five-day period of fasting (Monday to Friday) that precedes the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother which is next Sunday, August 16. Paregentan, which means "good living," is a day of enjoyment and feasting before the beginning of the fasting period, during which there are no feast days.