Maronite Patriarch, Bechara Boutros Rahi opened the annual Synod of the Maronite Church at the Patriarchal See in Bkerke, with the participation of bishops from Lebanon and the diaspora.
Following a prayer for peace in Lebanon, Rahi called on participants to be guided by the Holy Spirit in their deliberations, noting that this year’s synod will examine eleven key topics through a synodal approach centered on dialogue, discernment and collective participation.
The patriarch also paid tribute to bishops unable to attend due to age or illness and asked for their prayers. The synod will continue until Saturday, June 13, when a final communiqué outlining its discussions and decisions will be issued.