Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, presided this morning over Easter Mass at the altar of the "Chapel of the Resurrection” in Bkirki.

In his Easter sermon, the Patriarch highlighted the meaning and message of this holy occasion, considering that our culture is one of peace-making and not war, and one of advocating negotiations and not disagreements. He, thus, called on all those responsible to endeavor with every ounce of effort "so that our country is not drawn into a war that affects its south and other places."

He said: "After the resurrection of Christ, man became able to reconcile with God through repentance, returning to Him with remorse, repenting for offending Him and uniting with Him through love...If he did, he would be able to reconcile with his fellow man, with every human being, starting with the opponent, for here lies Christian heroism. Otherwise, we would be outside the event of Christ’s death for the sake of our sins, and outside of his resurrection to sanctify us (Romans 4:25).”

The Patriarch raised prayers to Jesus Christ, who was victorious over sin and death, to grant every human being through his crucifixion and resurrection, the grace to follow this path, "so that we die with you for our sins, and rise with you to a new life...Amen...Christ is Risen!"