Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut, Elias Audi, led the Easter Sunday Mass at St. George’s Cathedral, delivering a poignant message that focused on the issue of non-state weapons and the need for national unity.

In his sermon, Audi directly addressed the deeply sensitive issue of non-state weapons in Lebanon, urging the country to take decisive steps toward disarmament as a core requirement for lasting peace and sovereignty. He stressed the importance of returning control of arms to the Lebanese state, calling on all factions to acknowledge that Lebanon’s security and future should be safeguarded only by the Lebanese Army.

"Those who bear arms must lay them down; those who prioritize personal interests must consider the common good; those who rely on foreign allegiances must respect the state, for it is indispensable to all," he said. "Those who harm the country must understand that they too will ultimately become victims."

Audi identified egoism, pride, and materialism as dominant forces in today’s society, describing them as the root causes behind Lebanon’s continued deterioration.

"We have reached a point of collapse because the Lebanese have not worked toward building a strong, modern, just, and developed state," he declared. “Instead, we have squandered the grace God bestowed upon us by placing us in this small, beautiful country that once stood as a model for all to admire.”

He lamented how many Lebanese had treated their homeland as a tool for personal advancement, exploiting it during times of prosperity and abandoning it in times of difficulty.

“Some viewed Lebanon as a hotel to visit during prosperous times, only to abandon it in times of hardship. Others used it as a battlefield, while some merely saw it as a transit point,” he said.

The archbishop condemned a prevailing culture of political opportunism, where power is used not for public service but for personal gain.

“The Lebanese have not embraced a policy of oversight, accountability, and responsibility. Instead, they have adopted a policy of sharing the spoils and exploiting positions of power,” he added.

Calling for a complete national transformation, Audi implored for a renewed social and political awakening.

“We pray that this new era be different from the previous ones,” he said. “We seek an ethical, social, cultural, educational, and judicial revival that will lead to a political, administrative, economic, and financial renewal that restores Lebanon’s sparkle, role, and position.”

He stressed that change cannot come from the top alone but must be a collective endeavor.

“Each Lebanese has a responsibility to fulfill in order to enjoy the full rights of citizenship,” he said, urging the State to nurture responsible citizens grounded in faith, values, and ethics.

“A person may be driven by personal gain unless raised in a family that believes in God, values, and morals.”

“It is the State’s duty to ensure that laws are applied to everyone without exception, to reform minds, root out corruption, and establish justice,” he stated, emphasizing that only then can equality and a functional system be restored.

“The State is not merely a concept, but a responsibility that requires leaders with integrity, vision, and conscience.”

He called for the appointment of public servants based on merit, not sectarian or political allegiance.

“Public office is meant for serving the public, not for advancing the interests of a party, sect, or personal group.”

The archbishop warned against monopolization of power and called for genuine partnership among Lebanon’s diverse communities.

“We hope the government will respect its promises to uphold partnership and balance among the sects, ensuring that no group monopolizes positions or denies any citizen the right to serve their country,” he said.

Turning to Lebanon’s uncertain future, Audi said the country was now at a crossroads.

“It is either reform and the building of a strong, modern, just state, or the destruction of what remains of it.” He stressed that only a strong and sovereign state can secure the rights and future of its people.

Looking back on decades of turmoil, the archbishop called for an end to the cycle of conflict.

“Isn’t it madness or suicide to repeat the mistakes of the past fifty years?” he asked. “If the government does not confront challenges and violations decisively, and if it does not find solutions to the problems of the people, it will lose its credibility and squander the opportunity that the Lebanese have long awaited. We hope it does not squander it.”