MARONITE MAGAZINE

Maronite
Catholic Church
Ou r La Maronite
d y o f t h e Ce d a r s ,
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e a d
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Ou r La d y o f Le ba n o n,
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f Le ba n o n,
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Le ba n e s e Fa m i l y
Clu b
d e dica t e d t o p r e s e r v i n g o u r
Le ba ba n e sn e he s re i t a gFa e t hm r oi ul gy
h
• f a m iClu l y d a b y s
• d e dica f a tm e d i l ty o p t r e s e r s v i n g o u r
• Le ba f na em s e i l hy e rb i to ao g e k s t h r o u g h
•
f a m i l y w d a e y b s
i t e s
•
f a m i l y h t r e a e lt s h
Tel: • 011 f a m 804 i l y 7566 b o o k s
Fax: • f 086 a m 666 i l y w 5412 e b s i t e s
Email: • f a m i l y h e a lt h
lebfamilyclub@webmail.co.za
Tel: 011 804 1305
Fax: info@lebanesefamilyclub.co.za
08 66 66 5412
Email: Website:
www.lebanesefamilyclub.co.za
info@lebanesefamilyclub.co.za
Postal Website: Address:
www.lebanesefamilyclub.co.za
PO Box 76043,
Postal Wendywood, Address: 2144
Office PO Box Hours: 76043,
Wendywood, 2144
8:30-4:30, Mon - Fri. Editor:
Office Hours:
Jeraldene 8:30-4:30, Coleman Mon - Fri.
Fr. Family Nadim Club: Abou Zeid M.L.M
Editor: Fa m i l y Clu b
Lauren Dos Santos
Superior:
Fr. Badaoui Habib
M.L.M.
M a r o n i t e Ma g a z i n e
“.... What profits a man, if he gains the whole world
and loses his soul...” (Mt 16:26)
In this Holy Season of Lent, I would like to share
w i t h y o u , d e a r B r o t h e r s a n d S i s t e r s i n C h r i s t , t h i s
o l d T i b e t a n f o l k - t a l e t h a t c a n e n l i g h t e n u s o n o u r
spiritual journey towards Easter.
O n c e u p o n a t i m e t h e re w a s a r i c h K i n g w h o h a d f o u r
wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned
her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of
delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.
H e a l s o l o v e d t h e 3 rd w i f e v e r y m u c h a n d w a s
a l w a y s s h o w i n g h e r o f f t o n e i g h b o r i n g k i n g d o m s .
However, he feared that one day she would leave
h i m f o r a n o t h e r.
H e a l s o l o v e d h i s 2 n d w i f e . S h e w a s h i s c o n f i d a n t
and was always kind, considerate and patient with
h i m . W h e n e v e r t h e K i n g f a c e d a p ro b l e m , h e c o u l d
c o n f i d e i n h e r, a n d s h e w o u l d h e l p h i m g e t t h ro u g h
t h e d i f f i c u l t t i m e s .
T h e K i n g ’s 1 s t w i f e w a s a v e r y l o y a l p a r t n e r a n d
had made great contributions in maintaining his
w e a l t h a n d k i n g d o m . H o w e v e r, h e d i d n o t l o v e t h e
first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardl
y t o o k n o t i c e o f h e r !
O n e d a y, t h e K i n g f e l l i l l a n d h e k n e w h i s t i m e w a s
short.
March 2011
He thought of his luxurious life and
w o n d e re d , “ I n o w h a v e f o u r w i v e s w i t h m e , b u t
w h e n I d i e , I ’ l l b e a l l a l o n e . ” T h u s , h e a s k e d t h e
4th wife, “I have loved you the most, endowed you
w i t h t h e f i n e s t c l o t h i n g a n d s h o w e re d g re a t c a re
o v e r y o u . N o w t h a t I ’ m d y i n g , w i l l y o u f o l l o w m e
a n d k e e p m e c o m p a n y ? ” “ N o w a y ! ” , re p l i e d t h e 4 t h
wife, and she walked away without another word.
H e r a n s w e r c u t l i k e a s h a r p k n i f e r i g h t i n t o h i s
h e a r t .
The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved
you all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow
me and keep me company?” “No!”, replied the 3rd
w i f e . “ L i f e i s t o o g o o d ! W h e n y o u d i e , I ’ m g o i n g
to remarry!” His heart sank and turned cold. He
then asked the 2nd wife, “I have always turned to
you for help and you’ve always been there for me.
When I die, will you follow me and keep me
company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this
t i m e ! ” , re p l i e d t h e 2 n d w i f e . “ A t t h e v e r y m o s t , I
can only walk with you to your grave.” Her answer
struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King
was devastated. Then a voice called out: “I’ll go
w i t h y o u . I ’ l l f o l l o w y o u n o m a t t e r w h e re y o u g o . ”
The King looked up, and there was his first wife.
S h e w a s v e r y s k i n n y a s s h e s u f f e re d f ro m
m a l n u t r i t i o n a n d n e g l e c t . G re a t l y g r i e v e d , t h e K i n g
s a i d , “ I s h o u l d h a v e t a k e n m u c h b e t t e r c a re o f y o u
when I had the chance!”

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives. Our 4th
w i f e i s o u r b o d y . N o m a t t e r h o w m u c h t i m e a n d e f f o r t w e
l a v i s h i n m a k i n g i t l o o k g o o d , i t w i l l l e a v e u s w h e n w e
d i e . O u r 3 r d w i f e i s o u r p o s s e s s i o n s , s t a t u s a n d w e a l t h .
When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is
our family and friends. No matter how much they have
been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is
up to the grave. And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often
neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of
t h e w o r l d . H o w e v e r , o u r S o u l i s t h e o n l y t h i n g t h a t w i l l
f o l l o w u s w h e r e v e r w e g o .
Our souls are our most valuable possession, it is worth
m o r e t o u s t h a n a l l w o r l d l y p o s s e s s i o n s . T h e s o u l i s
o u r s e l f , i t i s t h e e n t i t y w i t h i n u s t h a t p e r c e i v e s ,
r e m e m b e r s , r e a s o n s , w i l l s , p r a y s , h o p e s , b e l i e v e s , l o v e s ,
sins and can be saved.
T h e s p i r i t i s G o d ’ s c o n n e c t i o n t o m a n a n d t h e s o u l ,
t h o u g h i d e n t i c a l t o t h e S p i r i t s t a n d s f o r i n d i v i d u a l .
The soul is life inherent in our bodies and distinguishes
one person from another. The soul determines who we
are - our personalities, our egos, our very self.
Just like we all have our own DNA, no two people are
a l i k e , e v e r y p e r s o n i s u n i q u e b u t e v e r y b o d y i s
s o m e b o d y i n G o d ’ s w o r l d , G o d h o n o u r e d u s b y m a k i n g
u s t h i s w a y a s H e w a n t e d u s t o k n o w w e a r e a l l
i m p o r t a n t t o H i m . O u r b r a i n s a r e t h e e d u c a t o r s o f o u r
soul and the soul is responsible for controlling and
overcoming the sinful desires of the body.
G o d c r e a t e d u s w i t h p u r e s o u l s , i t i s u p t o u s t o n u r t u r e
our souls. In our quest to gain treasures in this life we
place God on hold, caught up in a whirlwind of luxury.
T h e s e t r e a s u r e s y o u m a y s e e t o d a y r e m a i n h e r e .
The only lasting treasure is God - we must see our
t r e a s u r e s a h e a d o f u s t o h e a v e n b y d o i n g g o o d d e e d s
and honouring God - the goodness of a kind soul will
last all the way to heaven.
I t i s s a d p r o o f t h a t h u m a n s h a v e e v i l a n d c o r r u p t
natures, so sad that Our Lord thought it necessary to
u s e s u c h l a n g u a g e a s “ . . . . W h a t p r o f i t s a m a n , i f h e g a i n s
the whole world and loses his soul...”
W e m e e t u p w i t h f r i e n d s a n d e n q u i r e a b o u t t h e i r h e a l t h
but I have never heard anyone enquire about other
souls. We are intent upon this earth we walk on and
seem to confine all our concerns to our present lives.
W e s t r u g g l e i n t h i s l i f e b u t f e w a p p e a r t o c a r e a b o u t
the Eternal Life.
O u r l i v e s s h o u l d b e a s i l e n t w i t n e s s t o t h e G o s p e l ,
s t r i v i n g t o d o g o o d a n d s h o w i n g e a c h o t h e r w h a t g r e a t
things God has done for us.
I n c o n c l u s i o n , I i n v i t e y o u t o c u l t i v a t e , s t r e n g t h e n a n d
c h e r i s h y o u r s o u l , f o r i t i s t h e o n l y p a r t o f u s t h a t w i l l
f o l l o w u s t o t h e t h r o n e o f G o d a n d c o n t i n u e w i t h u s
throughout Eternity.
Let us preserve and nurture our souls until that day
when the secrets of all hearts will be revealed. Let our
s p i r i t u a l p r o f i t b e a r i n t e r e s t e t e r n a l l y a n d m a y a l l o u r
decisions be made with eternity in mind.
FR MAURICE CHIDIAC
Vice Superior of the Maronite Catholic Missionaries in
SA

" I n d u c t i o n C e r e m o n y o f t h e N e w M a r o n i t e P a t r i a r c h , + B e c h a r a P e t e r E l - R a h i ,
on Friday 25th March 2011 (National Lebanese Holiday of the Feast of Annunciation to
Our Lady), at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke, Lebanon."

Maronite Patriarch of Antioch & the Whole Levant
Biography of the New Maronite Patriarch
+Bechara Boutros (Peter) El-Rahi
H e w a s b o r n i n H i m l a y a ( t h e v i l l a g e o f S t . R a f q a ) , M a t n D i s t r i c t i n M o u n t
Lebanon on 25 February 1940. He attended College Notre-Dame de
J a m h o u r, a J e s u i t s c h o o l i n L e b a n o n . H e e n t e r e d i n t h e M a r i a m i t e
M a r o n i t e O r d e r a n d p r o f e s s e d h i s r e l i g i o u s v o w s o n J u l y 3 1 , 1 9 6 2 a n d h e w a s
o r d a i n e d a s a p r i e s t o n 3 S e p t e m b e r 1 9 6 7 . F r o m 1 9 6 7 t o 1 9 7 5 h e h a s b e e n t h e
r e s p o n s i b l e o f t h e A r a b i c l a n g u a g e t r a n s m i s s i o n s o f
Va t i c a n R a d i o .
H e w a s c o n s e c r a t e d a s a u x i l i a r y b i s h o p o f A n t i o c h o n 1 2 J u l y 1 9 8 6 , b y
P a t r i a r c h N a s r a l l a h B o u t r o s S f e i r a n d o n J u n e 9 , 1 9 9 0 , h e w a s
appointed bishop of Byblos. In 2003 he was elected Secretary of the
Maronite Synod, and in 2009 he was appointed President of the
L e b a n e s e E p i s c o p a l C o m m i s s i o n f o r t h e M e d i a .
L a s t m o n t h , P o p e B e n e d i c t X V I a c c e p t e d t h e r e s i g n a t i o n o f S f e i r w h o h a d s a i d h e r e s i g n e d t o a l l o w f o r a “ y o u n g e r
b i s h o p ” t o a s s u m e t h e
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. T h e S y n o d o f b i s h o p s g a t h e r e d i n a s p i r i t u a l c o n c l a v e i n B k e r k e l a s t We d n e s d a y i n i s o l a t i o n f r o m
t h e o u t s i d e w o r l d t o e l e c t t h e n e w p a t r i a r c h .
A t 7 1 , A l - R a h i w a s e l e c t e d P a t r i a r c h o f t h e M a r o n i t e s o n M a r c h 1 5 , 2 0 11 , a f t e r g e t t i n g m o r e t h a n t w o - t h i r d s o f t h e
v o t e s o f t h e 3 9 b i s h o p s , s u c c e e d i n g P a t r i a r c h C a r d i n a l N a s r a l l a h B o u t r o s S f e i r. H e i s k n o w n a s a
moderate with good relations with all Lebanese factions.
The Mass for the inauguration of his patriarchate will be on March 25, 2011, in Bkerke, the See of the
M a r o n i t e C a t h o l i c P a t r i a r c h a t e . A s i s c u s t o m f o r a l l M a r o n i t e p a t r i a r c h s R a h i t o o k B o t r o u s ( P e t e r ) w h o w a s b r i e f l y
h e l d t h e s e e o f A n t i o c h b e f o r e m o v i n g t o R o m e t o b e c o m e b i s h o p t h e r e . B e c h a r a B o u t r o s a l - R a h i i s t h e 7 7 t h
M a r o n i t e P a t r i a r c h o f A n t i o c h . H i s o f f i c i a l m o t t o a s a P a t r i a r c h i s : P a r t n e r s h i p a n d L o v e .

APPLY N O W
FOR 2012
A p p l i c a t i o n f o r m s a v a i l a b l e
from the school
011 432 0678
school@maronitesouth.co.za
“Ever since Jan 2011, I have seen my son develop
into an educated and disciplined young man. This
change gives me the comfort that he is in the best
school the south has to offer. I trust this will not
change.”
Kind regards, Miss Vukile K. Dlamini
I think every mom knows what it feels like to drive to work with
tears rolling down her face because she has just experienced a
morning from hell…. Getting your 3/4/5 year old up, dressed and
into the car and dropping them off at school which they hate and
resist. The crying, screaming, clinging and tantrums ring in your ears
for hours after you have dropped them off. At 8 in the morning you
are already exhausted. My son was just like this at his previous
school. I think his attendance record averaged approximately 2 days
a week for the year. He hated school, he would not colour, sing,
play, or participate in any way, and it frustrated him and me to the
extent that I just gave up on trying to get him to go to school.
I then decided to place him at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite
Catholic school which opened in January 2011. I cannot believe that
my child (the one described above), is so eager to attend this school,
that he gets up, dresses himself and is ready to go before I am.
Everyday he asks to be dropped off first. He loves his teacher and
has made many friends. He thoroughly enjoys all the extra murals
(cricket, athletics, choir and speech & drama). I have noticed such a
big change in the way he addresses people (Everyone he does not
know is addressed as “Sir” or “Ma’am”). He now wants to colour in,
paint, he sings songs he has learnt, and teaches his siblings and
myself some Lebanese.
His confidence and self esteem has doubled in the month and a half
he has attended this wonderful school and the most important thing
is that my child is now a happy learner, not a reluctant one. I am
very appreciative of the loving and nurturing learning environment,
wonderful caring staff and the emphasis on balancing learning,
cultural and sporting activities. Thank you!
Mrs Judy Aube

AT WORK, PRAYER & PLAY ...

SIMBA, THE LION VISIT - 4 MARCH

SCHOOL OPEN DAY - 13 MARCH

SPORTS DAY - 25 MARCH
WINNING TEAM - BYBLOS

SPORTS DAY - 25 MARCH
2ND: HARISSA

SPORTS DAY - 25 MARCH
3RD - QADISHA

The Mamluks or the Slaves in Power
From the book "History of Lebanon" by Fr Charbel Habchi
“ T h e c a p t u re o f t h e P a t r i a rc h w a s c o n s i d e re d a s a n e v e n t o f t h e g re a t e s t i m p o r t a n c e , e v e n g re a t e r t h a t
the capitulation of a fortress”. (Mohiidin Ibn Abdelzaher)
Mamluk Sultanate
T h e y e a r 1 2 9 1 i s a n i m p o r t a n t d a t e i n t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e E a s t a n d We s t i n L e b a n o n . I t m a r k s t h e e n d
o f t h e w e s t e r n p o w e r a n d p r e s e n c e i n t h e E a s t . T h e v i c t o r i e s g a i n e d b y t h e M a m l u k S u l t a n B a i b a r s ( 1 2 6 0 - 1 2 7 0 ) a g a i n s t
t h e F r e n c h w e r e b r o u g h t t o a s u c c e s s f u l c o n c l u s i o n b y t h e o t h e r e q u a l l y f a m o u s S u l t a n Q a l a w u n ( 1 2 8 0 - 1 2 9 0 ) a n d b y h i s
s o n a l - A s h r a f S a l a h - a d - D i n K h a l i l ( 1 2 9 0 - 1 2 9 4 ) . E g y p t , S y r i a , P a l e s t i n e a n d L e b a n o n q u i c k l y f e l l u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e
Mamluks and remained so until the Ottoman conquest of 1516. According to Rene Grousset: “What has assured the succ
e s s o f t h e F r e n c h a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e 1 2 t h c e n t u r y w a s t h e i r s t r o n g m i l i t a r y m o n a r c h y i n c o n t r a s t t o t h e a n a r c h y o f
the Muslims. Now the situation was reversed with the military monarchy of the Muslims and the anarchy of the French”.

The Revenge of the Slaves
T h e M a m l u k s ( a n A r a b w o r d m e a n i n g t h a t o n e i s o w n e d o r b o u g h t ) w e r e Tu r k
slaves bought by the Sultans of Egypt. They were captured as children and then
t r a i n e d a n d m o u l d e d w i t h i n t h e I s l a m i c w o r l d t o e n s u r e t h e i r l o y a l t y t o t h e i r
masters. The Abbasids “recruited” (i.e., enslaved) them mainly from areas near
t h e C a u c a s u s ( m a i n l y C i r c a s s i a n a n d G e o r g i a n ) , a n d f r o m a r e a s n o r t h o f t h e
B l a c k S e a ( m a i n l y Tu r k i c , m o s t o f w h o m w e r e K i p c h a k Tu r k s ) . T h o s e c a p t u r e d
were of non-Muslim religious background. They were slave soldiers who conv
e r t e d t o I s l a m a n d s e r v e d t h e M u s l i m c a l i p h s a n d t h e Ay y u b i d s u l t a n s f r o m
t h e 9 t h t o t h e 1 3 t h c e n t u r i e s . O v e r t i m e , t h e y b e c a m e a p o w e r f u l m i l i t a r y c a s t e
o f t e n d e f e a t i n g t h e C r u s a d e r s . O n m o r e t h a n o n e o c c a s i o n , t h e y s e i z e d p o w e r
f o r t h e m s e l v e s . B y s h e e r a s t u t e n e s s a n d s e r i e s o f a s s a s s i n a t i o n s t h e y s n a t c h e d
power from the hands of their masters, the Ayyubid Sultans. In 1250 they assass
i n a t e d t h e l a s t r e i g n i n g h e i r o f t h e E g y p t i a n b r a n c h o f t h e Ay y u b i d s a n d t o o k
over power in Egypt and later in the Levant. As a result of their crimes and rev
o l t s , t h e y s t a y e d i n p o w e r u n t i l t h e O t t o m a n s c a m e a n d o v e r t h r e w t h e m i n 1 5 1 6 .
Siege of Acre by the Mamluks in 1291
T h e y f o u n d e d t w o d y n a s t i e s , w h i c h s u c c e e d e d e a c h o t h e r. O n e w a s t h e B a h r i
( o f t h e s e a ) d y n a s t y w h i c h l a s t e d f r o m 1 2 5 0 t o 1 3 8 2 a n d t h e o t h e r w a s t h e
B o r j i ( o f t h e t o w e r ) d y n a s t y, r e f e r r e d t o t h e i r c e n t e r i n t h e c i t a d e l o f C a i r o . I t
consisted mainly of Circassians and lasted from 1382 to1516. The name Bahr
i c o m e s f r o m t h e w o r d ‘ b a h r ’ i n A r a b i c w h i c h m e a n s ‘ s e a ’ . ( T h e N i l e R i v e r
in Egypt looks like a sea in some places, it is so large). The Borji dynasty
comprised mostly of Mamluks from the Caspian region and in the beginning
they were delegated to defend the citadel and the tower “burj” of Cairo.
A the start of their conquest of the Near East the Mamluks who were Sunni Muslims made three decisions to avenge thems
e l v e s o n a l l l o c a l s w h o h a d c o l l a b o r a t e d w i t h t h e e n e m y. T h e y a l s o i n c l u d e d n o n - M u s l i m s t r a n g e r s i n t h i s p o l i c y o f ‘ n o
e x c e p t i o n s ’ . T h e p e r i o d w h i c h f o l l o w e d t h e d e f e a t o f t h e C r u s a d e r s w a s o n e o f t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t a n d m o s t p a i n f u l f o r
the Christians of the East as well as for the Shiite Muslims. Removed from political positions in their country and red
u c e d t o t h e l e v e l o f s e c o n d - c l a s s c i t i z e n s , t h e y w e r e b a d l y t r e a t e d a n d o f t e n m u r d e r e d . I n t h i s w a y t h e C h r i s t i a n s o f t h e
N e a r E a s t w e r e m a d e t o p a y f o r t h e c e n t u r i e s o f p r i v i l e g e s , w h i c h t h e y h a d e n j o y e d d u r i n g t h e o c c u p a n c y o f t h e C r u s a d e r s .
However the Mamluks knew that their revenge would never be complete until they had eliminated the Maronite Lebanese nat
i o n . I n t h e i r v i e w t h e M a r o n i t e s w h o h a d d a r e d t o c h a l l e n g e t h e M u s l i m C a l i p h s f r o m t h e 7 t h c e n t u r y h a d c o m m i t t e d a n a c t o f
t r e a c h e r y b y a l i g n i n g t h e m s e l v e s w i t h t h e C r u s a d e r s a n d t h e r e f o r e h a d m e r i t e d e x t i n c t i o n . B e f o r e t h e y m a n a g e d t o e s t a b l i s h
complete domination in Lebanon the Mamluks had two successive confrontations with the Maronites. One was with the Maronites
in the region of Jbeil and the other with the Maronites of Kesrwan. They lost the first but were victorious in the second.

Painting representing the Christians persecuted in
their church by the Mamluks (XIII-XIV centuries)
The two main confrontations
I n 1 2 9 4 t h e f i r s t A r a b - M a m l u k m i l i t a r y o p e r a t i o n w a s l a u n c h e d
a g a i n s t t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f J b e i l . T h i s e x p e d i t i o n w a s o r g a n i z e d b y
the Sunni governors of Egypt, Damascus and Tripoli. The Mamluk
Sultan, Muhammad Ibn Qalawun, promised to divide the land of the
Maronites among the different feudal lords of the ‘Arabs of Leban
o n ” . T h i s o f c o u r s e e n d u r e d h i m s t r o n g s u p p o r t i n t e r m s o f m e n
and arms. One force came from the south and the other from Tripo
l i i n t h e n o r t h a n d t h e y p l a n n e d t o m e e t i n J b e i l a n d o c c u p y i t .
The plan was then to occupy the rest of the country. But the Maronite
Muqaddamin or chiefs met in the city of Mayfuk the mountainous
region of Jbeil and devised a clever defence strategy.
They evacuated all the inhabitants of Jbeil in large ships. They
d i v i d e d a l l t h e i r f o r c e s w h i c h n u m b e r e d a b o u t 1 5 t h o u s a n d m e n
i n t o t h r e e s e c t i o n s . O n e w a s s t a t i o n e d i n t h e v a l l e y o f F i d a r i n t h e
s o u t h o f J b e i l , a n o t h e r i n t h e v a l l e y o f M a d f u n i n t h e n o r t h n e a r
T h e r e t h e y w a i t e d t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e e n e m y. T h e M u s l i m s e n t e r e d t h e c i t y a n d w e r e a m a z e d t o f i n d i t c o m p l e t e l y e m p t y
b u t t h e y d e c i d e d t o d e s t r o y i t i n a n y c a s e . T h e M a r o n i t e f o r c e s t h e n d e s c e n d e d o n t h e m a n d i n f l i c t e d h e a v y l o s s e s o n t h e
Muslim army. The survivors who retreated in the direction of Fidar and the others who fled by way of Madfun were annihilated
by the Maronite forces which had been waiting for them. Hamdam, the leader of the Damascus force was killed
in the battle and on the Maronite side the Muqaddam or chief of Hardin suffered the same fate. The Christian Maronites
c a p t u r e d o v e r 4 0 0 0 h o r s e s i n t h i s b a t t l e a s w e l l a s g r e a t q u a n t i t i e s o f a m m u n i t i o n . T h e M u q a d d a m i n , w h o n u m b e r e d 3 0 ,
m e t i n t h e t o w n o f M a a d t o d i v i d e u p t h e s p o i l s . N o r e p o r t o f t h i s b a t t l e i s t o b e f o u n d i n t h e o f f i c i a l h i s t o r i c a l a n n a l s
o f L e b a n o n . T h e r e a s o n i s s i m p l y t o a v o i d s t i r r i n g u p b a d f e e l i n g s . B u t i t d e s e r v e s t o b e m e n t i o n e d b e c a u s e i t w a s t h e
l a s t t i m e t h a t t h e C h r i s t i a n L e b a n e s e w o n a v i c t o r y b e f o r e l o s i n g t h e i r a u t o n o m y a n d i n d e p e n d e n c e u n d e r t h e M a m l u k s .
The second confrontation which took place was the war between the Mamluks and the people of Kesrwan between the years 1305
a n d 1 3 0 7 . K e s r w a n w a s a n a r e a i n t h e h e a r t l a n d o f t h e m o u n t a i n s o f L e b a n o n a n d w a s m a d e u p o f v e r y m i x e d g r o u p s o f p e o p l e .
T h e r e w e r e S h i i t e M u s l i m s , D r u z e , M a r o n i t e s a n d A l a w i t s . I n 1 3 0 5 t h e y w e r e a t t a c k e d b y a n a r m y o f M a m l u k s c o m p r i s i n g s o m e
40 000 soldiers coming from Tripoli, Damascus and Safad in the South of Lebanon. They were under the command of the gove
r n o r o f D a m a s c u s . B e h i n d t h e i r m o v e l a y t h e m o t i v a t i o n o f o n e , I b n Ta y m y a t . H e w a s a n i m p o r t a n t M u s l i m i n t e r p r e t e r o f t h e
M u s l i m l a w. H e p r o n o u n c e d a v e r y h a r s h q u a s i j u r i d i c a l v i e w p o i n t a g a i n s t a l l n o n - M u s l i m s . A c c o r d i n g t o h i m t h e D r u z e a n d t h e
A l a w i t s w e r e n o t M u s l i m s a n d b e l o n g e d t o a l e v e l o f p e o p l e e v e n l o w e r t h a n t h a t o f C h r i s t i a n s a n d a s s u c h t h e y d e s e r v e d t o b e
e l i m i n a t e d . T h e S h i i t e s w h o w e r e i n t h e a b s o l u t e m a j o r i t y i n t h e c o u n t r y w e r e t r a i t o r s a n d t h e y t o o m e r i t e d e x t e r m i n a t i o n . Wi t h
this interpretation of the law to spur them on, the Mamluks launched a ‘Jihad’ or ‘Holy War’ against all who did not profess the
Sunni faith or the orthodox religion of Islam. They lay waste all around them, burning, killing and wiping out all before them.

Maronite survivors found refuge in the high mount
a i n s o f L e b a n o n o r i n C y p r u s . S o m e S h i i t e f a m i l i e s
h e a d e d f o r I r a q w h i l e o t h e r s , t o s a v e t h e i r l i v e s ,
m a d e t h e p r e t e n c e o f c o n v e r t i n g t o S u n n i i s m . T h e i r
d e s c e n d e n t s a r e t h e p r e s e n t d a y S u n n i s o f S h o u f .
“This is the only example of the planting of orthodox
Islamic group in the Lebanese mountains who
have no recollection of their Shiite origin” 6. Some
other Shiite families became Maronites. The Druze
w h o e s c a p e d t h i s w a v e o f d e v a s t a t i o n r e t u r n e d t o
their ancient roots in Shouf. Some of these families
l i k e A b i l l a m a h a n d M o z h e r a l s o b e c a m e M a r o n i t e s .
A t h i r d D r u z e f r a c t i o n m a d e t h e i r w a y t o H a u r a n i n
t h e s o u t h o f S y r i a a n d s e t t l e d t h e r e a m o n g f r i e n d s
and relations. The Alawits found refuge near
t h e i r c o - r e l i g i o n i s t s i n a r e g i o n o f S y r i a w h i c h i s
c a l l e d ‘ t h e M o u n t o f t h e A l a w i t s ’ e v e n t o t h i s d a y.
T h e f i n a l a n d d e c i s i v e b a t t l e b e t w e e n t h e M a m l u k s
a n d t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f K e s r w a n w a s f o u g h t n e a r
S a o u f a r a n d A l a y. T h e M a m l u k s f a r o u t n u m b e r e d
t h e o t h e r s w h o o n t h i s o c c a s i o n w e r e m o s t l y D r u z e ,
t h a t i s , 3 0 0 0 0 a g a i n s t 7 0 0 0 . F i g h t i n g w i t h t h e
Druze were some Maronites. In spite of heroic eff
o r t s o n t h e p a r t o f t h e D r u z e a n d t h e i r a l l i e s , t h e y
were completely defeated by the numerically superior
and better equipped forces of the Mamluks.
Riders on fight
This friendship between the Maronites, the Druze
and the Shiites at the beginning of the 14th
century was looked upon as a ‘blood pact’.
This was because they all shed their blood tog
e t h e r i n d e f e n c e o f L e b a n o n , t h e i r l i b e r t y
and their autonomy against foreign aggressors.

Relations severed with Europe and Martyrdom of the Patriarch
A f t e r t h e d e p a r t u r e o f t h e C r u s a d e r s t h e r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n L e b a n o n a n d t h e w e s t w e r e c u r t a i l e d a n d a f t e r t h e v i c t o r y o f t h e
M a m l u k s o v e r t h e p e o p l e o f K e s r w a n t h e y w e r e e v e n m o r e s o . T h e M a m l u k s , i n t i m i d a t e d b y t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e F r e n c h s h i p s
m o v i n g j u s t o f t h e c o a s t o f L e b a n o n , l e f t t h e m i n c o n t i n u a l f e a r o f a n a g g r e s s i v e a t t a c k b y t h e F r e n c h . Wi t h t h i s i n m i n d
t h e y k e p t a c a r e f u l e y e o n t h e r e l a t i o n s o f t h e C h r i s t i a n s w i t h t h e c o u n t r i e s o f E u r o p e a s t h e y c o n s i d e r e d t h e m f r i e n d s o f t h e
C r u s a d e r s . E v e r y a t t e m p t t o m a k e c o n t a c t w i t h E u r o p e w a s c o n s i d e r e d a s a c o n s p i r a c y a g a i n s t t h e n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y o f t h e
state, just as if it was a crime of treason 8. The Druze of Shouf and the Shiites too were treated with the same suspicion.
P r o o f o f t h e i n t r a n s i g e n c e o f t h e M a m l u k S u l t a n s i n t h i s r e g a r d i s c l e a r l y e v i d e n t i n s o m e o f t h e i r o f f i c i a l d o c u m e n t s . F o r e x a m p l e
i n t h e ‘ F i r m a n ’ , t h e c e r t i f i c a t e o f i n v e s t i t u r e g i v e n t o t h e M a r o n i t e P a t r i a r c h , i t i s w r i t t e n : “ Ta k e c a r e n o t t o k e e p a n y l e t t e r s e n t t o
him secretly by a foreign monarch or to write to him or to be guilty of any such act. He should avoid the sea and not venture into it”
I n o r d e r t o k e e p c l o s e w a t c h o n t h e C h r i s t i a n s , D r u z e a n d S h i i t e s , T h e M a m l u k s i n s t a l l e d K u r d s a n d Tu r k m e n s i n B e i r u t a n d Tr i p o l i .
They were trusted because they were Sunni Muslims like the Mamluks. At the same time they demolished the fortresses of Sidon and
B e i r u t a n d t h e y d i d t h e s a m e w i t h t h e h a r b o u r o f Ty r e . I n g e n e r a l t h e y w r e c k e d t h e c i t i e s a l o n g t h e c o a s t l i n e w h i c h t h e y h a d c o n t r o l o f .
Sidon
Tyre

The fortress of Sidon and the harbour of Tyre after been destroyed by the Mamluks
Francisco Dsuriano has left this description of the desolation and decline of the cities governed by the Mamluks: “The famous
city of Tyre which in ancient times was surrounded by a wall with grand towers, this city whose soil was rich and
irrigated by the crystal water of the springs of Lebanon, is under the control of the Safad and is almost completely rui
n e d … I n s h o r t , Ty r e w a s t h e Ve n i c e o f t h e E a s t i n p o w e r a n d w e a l t h , b u t n o w i s u n i n h a b i t a b l e … . S i d o n w a s t h e s a m e a s
Tyre, in wealth and prosperity. At present, it is a total ruin with the exception of Citadel and Castel” 10. With regard to
Byblos the same author says: “This city had a beautiful port… but today it lies in ruins and is completely abandoned”.
I n c o n t r a s t t o t h e c i t i e s u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e M a m l u k s , o t h e r c i t i e s w h i c h f e l l u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e M a r o n i t e s w e r e
m u c h b e t t e r. T h e a b o v e a u t h o r s p e a k i n g o f B a t r o u n s a y s : “ n o t f a r f r o m B y b l o s i s t h e c i t y o f B a t r o u n … i t h a s a s i z e a b l e
p o p u l a t i o n a n d i s r i c h a n d f e r t i l e a n d h a s m u c h i n t h e w a y o f f r u i t s u c h a s g r a p e s a n d o l i v e s . I t i s w e l l i r r i g a t e d b y a
p l e n i t u d e o f s p r i n g s . I s a w a b e a u t i f u l c h u r c h i n t h e c e n t r e o f t h e c i t y w h i c h i s f r e q u e n t e d b y t h e C h r i s t i a n s o f t h e r e g i o n ”
T h e g o v e r n o r o f Tr i p o l i o r d e r e d t h e a r r e s t o f v a r i o u s M a r o n i t e l e a d i n g p e r s o n s a s w e l l a s f o r t y p e o p l e f r o m t h e t o w n
o f H j u l a , a n d d e m a n d e d t h e P a t r i a r c h G a b r i e l o f H j u l a ( 1 3 5 7 - 1 3 6 7 ) i n e x c h a n g e . I n o r d e r t o e n d t h e p e r s e c u t i o n a n d
the tyranny of the Mamluks and to save the lives ‘of his children’, the Patriarch handed himself over in Tripoli.

St Etienne’s church in Batroun
Taynal mosque in the suburb of Tripoli
The governor ordered the Patriarch to be burned alive on the 1st of April in the year 1367. This sentence was to be carried out
in a suburb of the city near to the Taynal mosque 13, Mosque of Governor Tainal al-Ashrafi (Amir Tainal or Taylan) with splendid
minaret and different cupolas. It was founded in 1336, and stands alone in the middle of an orchard. It is an oblong structure
of sandstone, and has four domes of various sizes. It was a Crusader church before the Mamluks changed it to a mosque.
A f t e r t h e d e a t h o f t h e P a t r i a r c h , h i s s u c c e s s o r J o h n V ( 1 3 6 7 - 1 4 0 4 ) c o u l d n o t s t a y i n t h e p a t r i a r c h a l r e s i d e n c e i n t h e c o n v e n t o f o u r
L a d y o f E l i j e i n M a y f o u k , b u t i n t h e v i l l a g e o f H a r d i n . T h i s w a s b e c a u s e o f t h e p e r s e c u t i o n o f t h e C h r i s t i a n s . I n t h e c o u r s e t h e n o f
m a n y y e a r s t h e l e a d e r s o f t h e M a r o n i t e C h u r c h w e r e c u t o ff f r o m C h r i s t i a n E u r o p e . B u t i n s p i t e o f a l l t h e s e d i ff i c u l t i e s t h e y h e l d f a s t
t o t h e i r c a t h o l i c f a i t h a n d t o t h e H o l y S e e . T h e P a t r i a r c h s , a f t e r t h e i r e l e c t i o n m a d e e v e r y a t t e m p t t o o b t a i n t h e P a l l i u m t h r o u g h t h e
good offices of the Franciscan missionaries, in some cases it took years before the elected Patriarch actually received it into his hands.
I f o n e a d d s t o t h e s e d i f f i c u l t i e s , t h e g e o g r a p h i c a l o b s t a c l e s t h a t h a d t o b e o v e r c o m e , t h e s u c c e s s i v e r e v o l u t i o n s , i n t e r n a l
divisions and wrangling and the invasion of the Mongols, one can easily understand why during the period of the Popes Urban
IV (1261-1264) and Eugene IV (1431-1447) there are no letters extant of communications between the Vatican and the
M a r o n i t e P a t r i a r c h s . O n e h a d t o w a i t u n t i l t h e e n d o f t h e F r e n c h d a n g e r f r o m C y p r u s a n d t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e m i s s i o n a r i e s t o
Lebanon from Europe before the interrupted lines of communication could be restored between the Maronites and Rome.

“Faith of the Mountain”
How I discovered a real “Gem” in our community.
by Ken Hanna
E v e r f e e l t h a t y o u r e a l l y d o n o t w a n t t o g o t o M a s s , b u t s o m e h o w f o r c e y o u r s e l f , w e l l t h a t i s e x a c t l y w h a t h a p p e n e d t o m e .
A n a n n o u n c e m e n t w a s m a d e t h a t a G r a d e 5 C a t e c h i s m t e a c h e r w a s u r g e n t l y n e e d e d a n d I r e m e m b e r y e a r s a g o F a t h e r
Michael Chebli asking me to teach catechism at the church in Fordsburg, in those days catechism was taught on a
S a t u r d a y. T h e r e w e r e r e a s o n s w h y I d i d n o t a c c e p t . T h e r e w e r e a l s o t i m e s w h e n F r. P e t e r A l a m a s k e d m e t o d o s o m e t h i n g
for the Church, and I declined - regretfully and tearfully.
I then asked God for a sign and as I walked out of Church I saw Adele Bakos. I knew she was involved in catechism and I
asked her if I was suitable for the post. She thought I would be O.K.
I r e m e m b e r F r. M i c h a e l A u s t i n t e a c h i n g u s T h e o l o g y. To h i m t h e ‘ p e n n y c a t e c h i s m ’ w a s s t i l l t h e b e s t . A r m e d w i t h m y
‘penny’ book and a little advice from Willie Karam, I decided to talk to the 11 year olds as I would my own grandchildren.
H a l f w a y t h r o u g h t h e c l a s s I s a b e l G r i m w i s g a v e m e t h e n o t e s a n d t h e f o l l o w i n g w e e k t h e w h o l e s e r i e s o n t h e “ F a i t h o f t h e
M o u n t a i n ” . E x c i t e d l y I r e a d N i h i l O b s t a t s , ” T h e I m p r e m a t u r ” . P e o p l e w h o m I h a d m e t w h e n I a c c o m p a n i e d F a t h e r C h e b l i
a n d Ta u n c h i e A n t h o n y t o A m e r i c a w e r e i n v o l v e d .
A r c h b i s h o p F r a n c i s Z a y e k ’s r e s o u n d i n g w o r d s , ” We h a v e t o s e a r c h f o r o u r p e o p l e l o s t i n t h e n e w w o r l d ” . B i s h o p J o h n
C h e d i d , F a t h e r C h e b l i ’s g r e a t f r i e n d , B i s h o p P e t e r Ta y a h w h o w a s t h e n a n o r d i n a r y P r i e s t , C h o r b i s h o p , S e e l y B e g g i a n i
w h o w a s i n C h a r g e o f t h e M a r o n i t e s e m i n a r y i n Wa s h i n g t o n D . C . , t h e n a l s o a n o r d i n a r y p r i e s t a l l h e l p e d p r o d u c e t h e
programme.They were people I knew personally and got to respect.
I began to understand why, year after year how the wonderful teachers dedicated themselves to the teachings of Catechism
i n t h e M a r o n i t e Wa y. O n e t o l d m e s h e w a s J o e Wa r b y ’s g r a n d d a u g h t e r.
I s t a r t e d l e a r n i n g a l l o v e r a g a i n t h e f a i t h o f m y f o r e f a t h e r s , p r e s e n t e d s o a b l y. I t h o u g h t o f I s a b e l l e , w h o m I t h o u g h t w a s
English, who in fact is Lebanese/Portuguese. I thought of General Yousef Sasseen, President of the World Lebanese
C u l t u r a l U n i o n , t e l l i n g m e h o w d i s a p p o i n t e d h e w a s w i t h t h e L e b a n e s e i n B r a z i l a n d t h e i r l a c k o f M a r o n i t e s c h o o l s .
W h a t a n o p p o r t u n i t y o f s p o n s o r i n g t h e P o r t u g u e s e a n d t h e L e b a n e s e i n S o u t h A f r i c a t o h e l p p r o d u c e t h i s o u t s t a n d i n g s e r i e s
i n P o r t u g u e s e f o r t h e M i l l i o n s o f L e b a n e s e i n B r a z i l . T h i s m u s t b e a s o u n d b u s i n e s s p r o j e c t - T h e “ O i l O f F a i t h ” - t h e
h a p p i n e s s a n d m e a n i n g - t h e f a m i l y. L e a r n e r s f r o m o t h e r p a r t s o f t h e A f r i c a n c o n t i n e n t , d e m o n s t r a t e d t o m e t h a t t h e ” F a i t h
of the Mountain’ is for all.
I b e g a n t o d e e p l y u n d e r s t a n d I s a b e l l e w h e n s h e s a i d t h a t w e h a v e t o p r o t e c t o u r M a r o n i t e M i s s i o n a r i e s . O u r L e b a n e s e
School in the South of Johannesburg took on a far deeper meaning.
“ F a i t h o f t h e M o u n t a i n ” i s a r e a l i t y. I t b e l o n g s t o a l l h u m a n i t y. I t i s t h e f u l l n e s s o f t h e t r u t h i n i t ’s p r i s t i n e b e a u t y. I t i s
the faith of the Maronites. It enriches our Christianity.
W h e n I s a b e l G r i m w i s p l o n k e d t h e b o o k s o n t h e f l o o r o f t h e c l a s s r o o m , w a s s h e i n f a c t s a y i n g . ” H e r e y o u a r e G r o o t b e k ,
l e t ’s s e e w h a t y o u c a n d o ” ?
Let’s see what we can do to promote this outstanding jewel in our community.

“ G r a p e V i n e s r o u n d m y G a r d e n ”
by Ken Hanna
T h i s a r t i c l e w a s i n s p i r e d b y t h e w r i t i n g o f C e c e l i a Ya z b e k a n d h e r b o o k , ” O l i v e t r e e s r o u n d m y Ta b l e ” - g r o w i n g u p
L e b a n e s e i n t h e o l d S o u t h A f r i c a .
Ever go to a Lebanese function or to lunch at a typical Lebanese home?
T h e r e i s a l w a y s k i b b e n a y e e , h o m o u s a n d g r a p e l e a v e s ( s p i c e d r i c e a n d m e a t s t u f f i n g ) . T h e k i b b e a l w a y s g o e s f i r s t . A l w a y s
big discussions who can make the best kibbe. People discuss at great length about their kibbe.
I a l w a y s l i k e t e l l i n g t h e s t o r y h o w K i b b e b e c a m e t h e n a t i o n a l d i s h o f t h e L e b a n e s e , a n d w h y t h e r e i s a l w a y s a c r o s s o n t h e
k i b b e . T h e L e b a n e s e w e r e d e s e r t p e o p l e b e f o r e t h e y b e c a m e m o u n t a i n p e o p l e . T h e C h r i s t i a n s w e r e p e r s e c u t e d a n d h a d t o b e
annihilated. To prevent the enemy from finding out where they were hiding, they did not light fires, therefore the meat was
not cooked and so kibbe helped to save the Christians.
In the mountains of Lebanon, snow can reach several meters in the winter. Fire wood was scarce, so the Christians and the
M a r o n i t e s o f L e b a n o n p e r f e c t e d K i b b e w h i c h h e l p e d s u s t a i n t h e m i n t h e h o l y M o u n t a i n s o f L e b a n o n .
Kibbe helped sustain “The Faith of the Mountain”.
I h a d f o r g o t t e n a b o u t g r a p e l e a v e s a n d h o w m y j i d u a n d s i t u a l w a y s h a d g r a p e v i n e s i n t h e i r g a r d e n . W h e n t h e y w a n t e d
m o r e t h e r e w a s m y U n c l e J o h n n i e ’s f a r m i n N o r t h R i d i n g . I t w a s a l m o s t a d a y ’s r i d e i n t h o s e d a y s f r o m M a y f a i r w h e r e a l l
of us lived. It was driving from Oudtshoorn to Johannesburg when I rediscovered grape leaves and the vine.
We s t o p p e d a t Wo l m a r a n s t a d , j u s t a h a l f h o u r s d r i v e t o K l e r k s d o r p . I t w a s 1 2 . 0 0 p . m , l e n t a n d l u n c h t i m e .
We d i d n o t w a n t a “ Wi m p y ” m e a l s o w e a s k e d s o m e o n e w h e r e t h e r e w a s a r e s t a u r a n t . A n A f r i c a n g e n t l e m a n d i r e c t e d u s t o
“ D a H o f t ” . W h a t a s u r p r i s e . I t w a s j u s t l i k e b e i n g i n L e b a n o n , b u t w i t h a n o l d D u t c h f l a v o u r.
And in abundance and surrounding the restaurant, were grape vines.
T h e m a n a g e r w a s s u r p r i s e d w h e n I t o l d h i m w h y I w a n t e d t h e g r a p e l e a v e s . I k n e w j u s t t h e r i g h t s u c c u l e n c e a n d s i z e s .
I t o o k s n i p p e t s o f v i n e s t o t r a n s p l a n t i n m y t i n y g a r d e n , b o i l e d a n d b o t t l e d t h e g r a p e l e a v e s a n d a m n o w w a i t i n g t o s e e
what will happen to my new earned vines.

People of the Cedars
In v i t e y o u t o a w e e k e n d o f C u l t u r a l , R e l i g i o u s, So c i a l a n d
spiritual splendour.
Sat:7thMay 2011: 17h30.Holy Mass - Church of Our Lady of the Cedars.
W e n d y w o o d , J o h a n n e s b u r g .
Sa t : 7 t h M a y . 2 0 1 1 : 1 9 h . 3 0 f o r 2 0 h . 0 0 .
Plenary session with the President of the World Lebanese Cultural Union,
Mr. Eid Chedrawi.
Venue: Liban Convention Centre, adjoining the Lebanese Church.
Subject: Th e r o l e o f t h e L e b a n e se D i a s p o r a i n t h e p r e se r v a t i o n o f L e b a n o n a s a
democratic and stable entity.
C o c k t a i l Pa r t y s p o n s o r e d b y H a d d i t h e l J o u b b e a n d B e c h a r r e B r o t h e r h o o o d , a n d t h e
“People of the Cedars”
S u n : 8 t h M a y 2 0 1 1 : 1 1 h 0 0 a m - L e b a n e se a n d A r a m a i c M a s s a t t h e C h u r c h o f O u r
L a d y o f t h e C e d a r s o f L e b a n o n
Sun:8th May 13h30 :Luncheon Cedar Lodge, Krugersdorp.
Sponsored by Haddith el Joubbe community, “People of the Cedars” and the
Becharre Brotherhood.
C e d a r Pa r k H o t e l ( a d j o i n i n g t h e C h u r c h a n d C e d a r Pa r k c l u b ) h a v e o f f e r e d t h e
Lebanese Community excellent weekend rates for upcountry families and friends.
Hotel Contact person: Hilda: 011 804 3777.
Project coordinator: Ken: 084 783 0726

Foreigners buying properties in Lebanon
Q: Can a foreigner buy a property in Lebanon?
A: Foreign ownership of real estate property is allowed in Lebanon. Foreigners can acquire up to 3,000 square meters (sq.
m ) o f l a n d . A n y b i g g e r t h a n t h i s , a p r i o r d e c r e e f r o m t h e C o u n c i l o f M i n i s t e r s i s n e e d e d . F o r e i g n e r s c a n o n l y o w n u p t o
3 % o f t h e
total land area of Lebanon. In the case of Beirut, foreigners can acquire up to 10% of the total area of the city.
Q :What are the documents needed for South Africans to buy a property in Lebanon ?
A: Buyers must first of all:
1- Making sure that the property has no outstanding mortgages.
2- Getting clearances from the related deed office that the property has no liens or any restrictions of any kind.
3- Making sure that the property offered is really the one offered for sale.
4- Obtain the Map of the property from the related deed office.
5- Obtain Zoning Information about the Property from the seller
6- Prepare all the legal documents necessary for purchase.
Q: What are the legal documents necessary for purchase a property in Lebanon?
A: The legal documents necessary for foreigners desire to buy a property in Lebanon are:
1 - A n a g r e e m e n t o f p u r c h a s e b e t w e e n t h e b u y e r a n d t h e s e l l e r s i g n e d b e f o r e t h e n o t a r y a n d c e r t i f i e d b y h i m .
2 - A c e r t i f i c a t e i s s u e d i n t h e n a m e o f t h e b u y e r f r o m t h e d e e d o f f i c e i n B e i r u t w h i c h i s a s p e c i a l d e p a r t m e n t w h o g i v e s
clearance in issuing a certificate for foreigners prior to the registration of the property of the new buy. The certificate
a l l o w s t h e b u y e r t o b u y t h e p r o p e r t y i n c o n c e r n . To a c q u i r e t h i s c e r t i f i c a t e t h e b u y e r m u s t :
2 . 1 - S u b m i t a C o p y o f h i s p a s s p o r t t r a n s l a t e d i n A r a b i c b y a s w o r n t r a n s l a t o r i n L e b a n o n ( i f t h e b u y e r i s i n L e b a n o n ) , a n d
i f t h e b u y e r i s n o t i n L e b a n o n t h e c o p y o f p a s s p o r t m u s t b e t r a n s l a t e d a n d c e r t i f i e d b y t h e L e b a n e s e E m b a s s y i n t h e
residing country
2 . 2 S u b m i t a N o t o r i a l d r a f t o f a f a m i l y r e c o r d t h a t s h o w s a l l t h e f a m i l y m e m b e r s o f t h e b u y e r c e r t i f i e d b y t h e c o u r t j u s t i c e
t r a n s l a t e d i n t o A r a b i c a n d c e r t i f i e d b y t h e L e b a n e s e E m b a s s y i n t h e r e s i d i n g c o u n t r y
2 . 3 - S u b m i t a l e t t e r o f u n d e r t a k i n g i n A r a b i c s i g n e d b y h i m s t i p u l a t i n g t h a t h e d o n o t o w n a n y o t h e r p r o p e r t i e s i n L e b a n o n
o r o w n s s u c h a r e a o f s q m i f s o . I f t h e b u y e r i s n o t i n L e b a n o n , t h e l e t t e r m u s t b e c e r t i f i e d f r o m t h e L e b a n e s e E m b a s s y i n
the residing country. (The letter must be drafted from a Lebanese lawyer due to its legal terminology of the context).
2 . 4 - S u b m i t a r e a l e s t a t e E r f n u m b e r c e r t i f i c a t e f o r t h e p r o p e r t y i n t e n d e d t o b u y f r o m t h e r e l a t e d d e e d o f f i c e .
3 - A S p e c i a l P o w e r o f A t t o r n e y g i v e n t o t h e l a w y e r d r a f t e d i n A r a b i c s i g n e d b y t h e b u y e r a n d c e r t i f i e d b e f o r e t h e
n o t a r y p u b l i c . I f t h e b u y e r i s n o t i n L e b a n o n t h e n t h e p o w e r o f a t t o r n e y w i l l b e s i g n e d b y t h e b u y e r b e f o r e t h e
consul in the Lebanese Embassy in the residing country

N . B : A N o t a r y i n L e b a n o n i s a g o v e r n m e n t d e p a r t m e n t r e l a y e d t o t h e m i n i s t r y o f J u s t i c e w h e r e v a r i o u s f u n c t i o n s
b e i n g d o n e a n d e s p e c i a l l y c e r t i f y l e g a l d o c u m e n t s s i g n a t u r e s a n d d a t e s .
Q Who can draft the agreement of sale in Lebanon?
A : A L e b a n e s e l a w y e r i s n e e d e d i n r e a l e s t a t e t r a n s a c t i o n s , i f t h e t w o p a r t i e s h a v e a g r e e d o n t h e s a l e , t h e s a l e
a g r e e m e n t c a n b e d r a w n u p b y t h e l a w y e r s i g n e d a n d c e r t i f i e d b e f o r e a n o t a r y.
Q:Who can get the certificate allowing a foreigner to buy a property in Lebanon ?
A : O n c e t h e l a w y e r o f t h e b u y e r h a v e a l l t h e n e c e s s a r y d o c u m e n t s h e w i l l s u b m i t t e d o n b e h a l f o f t h e b u y e r t o t h e
d e e d o f f i c e i n B e i r u t w h i c h i s a s p e c i a l d e p a r t m e n t w h o g i v e s c l e a r a n c e i n i s s u i n g a c e r t i f i c a t e f o r f o r e i g n e r s p r i o r
t o t h e r e g i s t r a t i o n o f t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h e n e w b u y. T h e c e r t i f i c a t e w i l l b e i s s u e d i n t e n w o r k i n g d a y s f r o m t h e d a t e
of submission.
Q : W h a t h a p p e n w h e n t h e l a w y e r h a v e t h e A g r e e m e n t o f s a l e a n d t h e c e r t i f i c a t e o f a u t h o r i t y f o r a f o r e i g n e r t o
buy in Lebanon?
A : T h e L a w y e r w i l l n o w s u b m i t a l l t h e d o c u m e n t s t o t h e d e e d s o f f i c e c l o s e s t o t h e g e o g r a p h i c a l a r e a o f w h e r e t h e
property is situated. After ten to fifteen working days the deed office gives to the buyer an original title deed
c e r t i f i c a t e
Q:What is the context of the title deed certificate ?
A : i n t h e t i t l e d e e d w i l l a p p e a r t h e n a m e o f t h e b u y e r, t h e e x a c t a r e a o f t h e p r o p e r t y, t h e d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e
property and the date of registration and any other info’s if so.
Q: Is it a great opportunity for South African/Lebanese to buy a property in Lebanon?
A : I n v e s t i n g i n L e b a n o n t o d a y o f f e r s a g r e a t o p p o r t u n i t y f o r t h e f u t u r e . T h e r e c e n t s t a t i s t i c s o f t h e M i n i s t r y o f
E c o n o m i c s s h o w t h a t t h e e c o n o m y i s g e t t i n g s t r o n g e r, a n d g r o w i n g , a s w e l l a s t h e i n f r a s t r u c t u r e o f t h e c o u n t r y.
T h e n e w i n v e s t m e n t l a w s p r o v i d e n e w t a x b r e a k s t h r o u g h p a c k a g e d e a l s o f f e r e d t o s p e c i f i c p r o j e c t s . T h e n e w
f o r e i g n o w n e r s h i p l a w g i v e s f o r e i g n e r s a g r e a t e r p e r c e n t a g e f o r l a n d a c q u i s i t i o n t h a n b e f o r e . I n v e s t i n g t o d a y w i l l
g e n e r a t e t o m o r r o w ’s p o s s i b i l i t i e s a n d w i l l k e e p o u r L e b a n e s e r o o t s c o n n e c t e d t o o u r l o v e l y c o u n t r y L e b a n o n .
S h o u l d y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n , o r q u e r y o r i n f o ’s c o n c e r n i n g p r o p e r t i e s o r a n y o t h e r l a w m a t t e r i n L e b a n o n p l e a s e
d o n o t h e s i t a t e t o c o n t a c t m e .
F a d i K h a l a f – A t t o r n e y a t l a w – L e b a n o n / w w w. k h a l a f l a w f i r m . c o m
Cape Town - 072-33-72-106 / 021-93-00-333

South African Tour to Lebanon
Easter Pilgrimage
DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY, 20 APRIL 2011
1 0 h 3 0 - O N A R R I VA L AT O R TA M B O I N T E R N AT I O N A L A I R P O RT,
MAKE YOUR WAY TO ETIHAD AIRLINES, CHECK-IN COUNTERS.
1 3 H 3 0 - D E PA RT J O H A N N E S B U R G O N F L I G H T E T I H A D A I RWAY S E Y 6 0 1
O u r L a d y o f
Lebanon
DAY 2 – THURSDAY, 21 APRIL 2011
- ARRIVAL IN LEBANON
- TRANSFER TO HOTEL BETHANIA, HARISSA. LOCATED ON A PINE HILL
O V E R L O O K I N G T H E P O RT O F J O U N I E H , O N E O F T H E M O S T FA S C I N AT I N G S C E N E S I N
LEBANON, BETHANIA STANDS TALL AS A VERY SPECIAL CENTRE IN MOUNT LEBANON.
B E T H A N I A , A N I N T E G R A L PA RT O F T H E “ O U R L A D Y O F L E B A N O N S A N C T U A RY- H A R I S S A ” L I E S
PEACEFULLY ON THE TOP OF A 600M HIGH CLIFF THAT RESTS AT THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- DOG RIVER / JEITA GROTTO
- LATE LUNCH
- BACK TO HOTEL
- E V E N I N G AT L E I S U R E
DAY 3 – GOOD FRIDAY, 22 APRIL 2011
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- 10h00 - VISIT STATUE OF HARISSA (OUR LADY OF LEBANON)
- MASS
- LUNCH
- E V E N I N G AT L E I S U R E
Fakra
DAY 4 – SATURDAY, 23 APRIL 2011
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- VISIT VILLAGES IN THE NORTH
S I B H E L / H A D I T H E L J I B B E E / H A S R O U N / B A Z O U N / B E C H A R R E / J I B R A N
MUSEUM / CEDARS
- LUNCH
- BACK TO HOTEL
- M I D N I G H T M A S S
Quannoubine Valley

DAY 5 - EASTER SUNDAY, 24 APRIL 2011
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- P I L G R I M A G E O N F O O T T O Q U A D I S H A VA L L E Y. E A S T E R M A S S
WILL BE CELEBRATED IN QUANNOUBINE
- L U N C H
- VISIT MAR LICHA MONASTERY
- BACK TO HOTEL
- E V E N I N G AT L E I S U R E
Raouche
D A Y 6 – E A S T E R M O N D A Y , 2 5 A P R I L 2 0 1 1
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- ST EL HARDINI / ST RAFKA / ST CHARBEL
- LUNCH IN BYBLOS
- B Y B L O S C A S T L E
- OLD SOUKS
- BACK TO HOTEL
- E V E N I N G AT L E I S U R E
Beirut
D A Y 7 – T U E S D A Y , 2 6 A P R I L 2 0 1 1
- B R E A K FA S T AT 0 8 H 0 0
- BAALBEK/ANJAR CASTLE
- LUNCH
- ZAHLE
- BACK TO HOTEL
- E V E N I N G AT L E I S U R E
Deir el Kamar
DAY 8 – WEDNESDAY, 27 APRIL 2011
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- TRANSFER TO CORAL BEACH HOTEL, BEIRUT
SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, CORAL BEACH
HOTEL & RESORT - BEIRUT IS MINUTES AWAY FROM BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL
A I R P O RT A N D B E I R U T C E N T R A L D I S T R I C T, A S W E L L A S T H E M A J O R S H O P P I N G
AND ENTERTAINMENT AREAS.
- RAOUCHE (PIGEON ROCK) / DOWNTOWN BEIRUT / LUNCH / SOLIDAIRE
- AFTERNOON AT LEISURE
Baalbek

DAY 9 – THURSDAY, 28 APRIL 2011
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- SIDON / MAGDOUCHE / TYRE
- LUNCH
- BACK TO HOTEL
DAY 10 – FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2011
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- DEIR EL KAMAR / BEIT EDINE / MOUSSA CASTLE
- LUNCH
- BACK TO HOTEL
DAY 11 – SATURDAY, 30 APRIL 2011
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- DAY AT LEISURE
- EVENING – MEET IN HOTEL FOYER 19H00 FOR FAREWELL
DINNER IN JOUNIEH
D A Y 1 2 – S U N D A Y , 1 M A Y 2 0 1 1
- BREAKFAST AT 08H00
- LAST MINUTE SHOPPING
- CHECKOUT
- TRANSFER TO AIRPORT
- DEPARTURE TO JOHANNESBURG
PACKAGE PRICE:
R 18 200.00 per person sharing in a double/twin room.
R21 910 for single room
Please contact for more information:
Maureen 082 803 5003 - maureen.karam@global.co.za
Natalie 083 301 4052 - natalie@destinationlounge.co.za

Community
Welcome To The Maronite Youth Club (MYC)
Yo u t h a r e a l w a y s r e a d y t o r u n t h e r a c e a n d w e y o u t h l e a d e r s n e e d t o s e t t h e p a c e . We m u s t
p r o v i d e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r o u r y o u t h t o c h a n n e l t h e i r e n e r g y, f o c u s o n t h e c a l l o f C h r i s t a n d t o
m a k e a d i f f e r e n c e i n o u r c o m m u n i t y.
M Y C i s r u n b y t h e y o u t h , f o r t h e y o u t h o f o u r c o m m u n i t y a g e d b e t w e e n 1 6 - 2 0 . D e m i R e b u l a , Ta n y a D a S i l v a ,
Bronwyn Azar, Talar Karam, Jude Pallini and Jared Leisher make up the committee, under the guidance of Fr. Fady.
The aim of this group is to encourage spiritual and social activities as well as introduce works of mercy in our
c o m m u n i t y. We i n v i t e a l l t h e y o u t h i n o u r p a r i s h t o j o i n u s a n d b e a p a r t o f t h e M a r o n i t e Yo u t h C l u b .
The Sunday 5:30pm Mass is dedicated to the youth and they are encouraged to attend this mass.
A c t i v i t i e s h e l d s o f a r h a v e b e e n w e l l a t t e n d e d a n d e n j o y e d b y a l l , e s p e c i a l l y t h e b o w l i n g e v e n i n g h e l d a t T h e Z o n e i n
Rosebank. (Pictures to follow on next page).
To e n c o u r a g e a s e n s e o f c o m p a s s i o n i n o u r y o u t h d u r i n g t h e t i m e o f l e n t , w e a r e p l a n n i n g a m o r n i n g t r i p t o T L C
Children’s Home on the 16th of April. All who would like to be a part of this initiative can contact Fr. Fady for more
details.

Te n Pi n B o w l i n g a t T h e Z o n e , R o s e b a n k w i t h t h e
Maronite Youth Club (MYC)

M a r o n i t e y o u t h g r o u p b r i n g s y o u t h b a c k t o l i f e a t
Our Lady of Lebanon
by Jonathan Faurie - MAC Secretary
A f t e r a l m o s t e l e v e n y e a r s o f
t r y i n g t o e s t a b l i s h a y o u t h c o m m i t t e e
a t O u r L a d y o f L e b a n o n M u l b a r t o n , t h e
n e w l y f o r m e d M a r o n i t e A d u l t s C l u b
( M A C ) h a s s e t i t s e l f s i g n i f i c a n t g o a l s
f o r t h e y e a r a h e a d .
H e a d e d b y Fr Fa d y M a t n y, t h e M A C
t a r g e t s y o u t h b e t w e e n t h e a g e s o f 2 1 a n d
3 5 y e a r s a n d a r r a n g e s s o c i a l , s p i r i t u a l ,
a n d m i s s i o n a c t i v i t i e s a i m e d
s p e c i f i c a l l y a t t h i s a g e g r o u p .
“A c h u r c h w i t h o u t a s t r o n g y o u t h f o c u s h a s n o f u t u r e . N o p e r s o n c a n e s c a p e t i m e , a n d w h e n t h e o l d e r l e a d e r s t a k e o n
n e w r o l e s w i t h i n t h e c h u r c h i t w i l l b e u p t o t h e y o u t h o f t h e p a r i s h t o t a k e o v e r t h e m a n t l e , ” s a y s M a t n y.
T h e c o m m i t t e e i s m a d e u p o f s i x i n d i v i d u a l s w h o a r e r e f l e c t i v e o f t h e d i v e r s e n a t u r e o f t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e p a r i s h .
“ T h e f i r s t g o a l o f t h e M A C , i s t o m o b i l i s e t h e y o u t h i n t o a s i g n i f i c a n t a n d m e a n i n g f u l p i l l a r o f s t r e n g t h f o r t h e
c h u r c h . We w o u l d l i k e t o g i v e t h e y o u t h s o m e t h i n g t o b e l o n g t o , ” s a y s M a t n y.
Because of their involvement in the church and their leadership qualities, Matny asked parish members Nikita Mac
K i n n o n , E b o Q u a g r a i n e , D e l o n Fa r a h , S t e p h a n i e Fr a n c i s , L e e z a M e n e z e s a n d J o n a t h a n Fa u r i e t o h e a d u p t h e
c o m m i t t e e o f t h e M A C .
A f t e r m a n y w e e k s o f p l a n n i n g a n d h a r d w o r k , t h e M A C c o m m i t t e e s u c c e s s f u l l y h e l d i t s f i r s t s o c i a l e v e n t ,
M e d i t e r r a n e a n N i g h t s , a t O u r L a d y o f L e b a n o n . T h e y o u t h w e r e g r e e t e d w i t h s c e n e s , m u s i c a n d f o o d t h a t o n e w o u l d
expect to find on exquisite Mediterranean holidays.

A f t e r b e i n g g r e e t e d b y m e m b e r s o f t h e M A C c o m m i t t e e , t h e c r o w d w a s t r e a t e d t o a
d i s p l a y o f f i n e S p a n i s h s t y l e d d a n c i n g t h a t w h i s k e d o n e o f f t o t h e s t r e e t s o f M a d r i d .
A f t e r t h i s , t h e S o u t h ’ s v e r y o w n f a m o u s M i c h a e l J a c k s o n i m p e r s o n a t o r, J o e y Fa r a h ,
s h o w e d j u s t w h y h e i s a h u g e h i t a t w e d d i n g s , a n d 2 1 s t b i r t h d a y c e l e b r a t i o n s . S p e a k i n g
a f t e r t h e e v e n t M a t n y l a b e l l e d t h e e v e n i n g a s u c c e s s a n d s a i d t h a t t h e r e s p o n s e t o t h e
e v e n i n g w a s v e r y g o o d .
“ Fo r t h e c o m m i t t e e ’ s f i r s t e v e n t w e h a d a g o o d c r o w d . T h i s m e a n s t h a t e v e r y e v e n t t h a t
t h e M A C a r r a n g e s f r o m h e r e o n o u t m u s t a i m t o i n c r e a s e i t s n u m b e r s b y a t l e a s t 2 0 % , ”
s a y s M a t n y.
Caring for the needy
T h e s e c o n d g o a l o f t h e M A C i s t o m a k e a m e a n i n g f u l c o n t r i b u t i o n t o s o c i e t y, t h i s w i l l b e d o n e t h r o u g h m i s s i o n
a c t i v i t i e s . M a t n y r e m i n d s u s t h a t t h e r e a r e m a n y p e o p l e i n s o c i e t y, a d u l t s a n d c h i l d r e n , w h o a r e l e s s f o r t u n a t e t h a n
u s a n d o f t e n l o o k t o u s a s t h e i r l a s t h o p e o f l o v e a n d s a l v a t i o n . Wi t h t h e m o n e y r a i s e d f r o m t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n N i g h t s
f u n c t i o n , t h e M A C , a l o n g w i t h a n u m b e r o f p a r i s h i o n e r s , a r e o r g a n i s i n g a f u n d a y f o r p o o r a n d d e s t i t u t e c h i l d r e n f r o m
t h e s a f e h a v e n o f C h i r s t w a y s i t u a t e d i n R o s e t t e n v i l l e , S o u t h o f J o h a n n e s b u r g .
“ We w a n t t o s h o w t h e s e p e o p l e t h a t w e c a r e . N o m a n i s a n i s l a n d , h e c a n ’ t l i v e i n i s o l a t i o n a n d t u r n a b l i n d e y e t o t h e
p o o r a n d n e e d y o f t h e w o r l d , t h i s i s n o t t h e C h r i s t i a n w a y. We a r e g o i n g t o o r g a n i s e a n i c e m o r n i n g f o r t h e s e c h i l d r e n
w h e r e t h e y w i l l b e l o v e d b y a l l . ” s a y s M a t n y.
Spiritual renewal
T h e t h i r d g o a l o f t h e M A C i s t o b r i n g t h e y o u t h b a c k t o t h e c h u r c h a n d e n c o u r a g e t h e s p i r i t u a l g r o w t h w i t h i n t h e m .
“ T h i s i s e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t d u r i n g l e n t . We m u s t m o v e a w a y f r o m a s i t u a t i o n w h e r e p a r i s h i o n e r s o n l y c o m e t o c h u r c h
o v e r E a s t e r a n d C h r i s t m a s , t h e y m u s t c o m e e v e r y S u n d a y, ” s a y s M a t n y. O u r L a d y o f L e b a n o n ’ s y o u t h m a s s i s a t 1 7 : 3 0
o n S u n d a y, h o w e v e r, i n t h e p a s t o n e w o u l d b e e x c u s e d f o r f e e l i n g t h i s m a s s w a s n o t v e r y y o u t h - o r i e n t a t e d .
“ T h e y o u t h m a s s w a s n o t d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e f r o m a n y o t h e r m a s s a t t h e c h u r c h . T h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e p a r i s h i o n e r s a t t h a t
m a s s w e r e n o t y o u t h , ” s a y s M a t n y.

H e d e v i s e d a p l a n w h e r e b y t h e M A C , a l o n g w i t h t h e
M a r o n i t e Yo u t h C l u b ( M Y C ) , b e c o m e m o r e i n v o l v e d i n
t h e m a s s . E a c h y o u t h m a s s n o w h a s a t h e m e a n d h a s
s p e c i a l e l e m e n t s w i t h i n t h e m a s s t h a t i n v o l v e s t h e y o u t h
o f t h e c h u r c h .
T h e r e s u l t s h a v e b e e n s t a r t l i n g . Yo u t h a t t e n d a n c e a t t h e
y o u t h m a s s h a s m o r e t h a n d o u b l e d s i n c e t h e i n c e p t i o n o f
t h e t w o Yo u t h C o m m i t t e e s , w h i c h i s p l e a s i n g t o t h e
l e a d e r s o f t h e c h u r c h .
“ I h a v e n e v e r s e e n a r e s p o n s e t o t h e y o u t h m a s s l i k e t h i s .
I t s h o w s t h a t t h e h a r d w o r k o f t h e y o u t h c o m m i t t e e s i s
p a y i n g o f f a n d I p r a y i t c o n t i n u e s , ” s a y s Fr M a u r i c e
C h i d a c Vi c e S u p e r i o r o f t h e M a r o n i t e M i s s i o n i n S o u t h
A f r i c a .
I n a d d i t i o n t o p u t t i n g t h e f i n a l t o u c h e s t o t h e m i s s i o n t o
C h i r s t w a y, t h e M A C i s a l r e a d y p l a n n i n g i t s n e x t s o c i a l
a n d m i s s i o n a c t i v i t i e s . Wi t h t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f Fr Fa d y a n d
t h e s u p p o r t t h a t t h e M A C h a s b e e n r e c e i v i n g f r o m
p a r i s h i o n e r s , t h e f u t u r e o f t h e y o u t h a t O u r L a d y o f
L e b a n o n i s o n c e a g a i n b r i g h t a n d c a n o n l y g r o w f r o m
strength to strength.
Prayer for our Youth
G o d , o u r Fat h e r , w e t h a n k Y o u
for the gift of love and the
gift of life. We thank
you for the gift of our
children. We ask You to send
Your holy angels to protect
a n d g u i d e t h e m e a c h d ay s o
that they will walk the
n a r r o w p at h o f p u r i t y,
selfcontrol
a n d o b e d i e n c e , a s w a s ta u g h t
to us by Your own Son, Jesus
Christ. We ask
t h i s t h r o u g h J e s u s C h r i s t o u r
Lord, in union with the Holy
S p i r i t.
Amen.
Our Lady of Guadalupe . . .
pray for our youth.
St. Michael . . .
pray for our youth.
S t. C h a r l e s B o r r o m e o . . .
pray for our youth.

Our Lebanese - Irish dancers
Knights of da Gama
Kristen Solomon, Jenna Abbott (Bakos) & Megan Towell
T h e I r i s h d a n c e r s f r o m D e L a S a l l e H o l y
C r o s s
C o l l e g e ( S u e D r i v e r ’ s s c h o o l o f d a n c e ) h a d a
v e r y
s u c c e s s f u l d a y a t t h e f i r s t f e i r ( c o m p e t i t i o n )
o f t h e y e a r i n Pr e t o r i a i n Fe b r u a r y w i n n i n g
numerous medals and a few trophies too.
Jenna Abbott (Bakos), 1 0 y e a r s ,
c o m p e t e d i n 7 e v e n t s , w i n n i n g 5 o f t h e s e
i n c l u d i n g t h e
t r o p h y d a n c e a n d c o m i n g t h i r d i n t h e o t h e r 2 .
Megan Towell, 1 0 y e a r s , g o t 1 f i r s t , 1 s e c o n d , 1
third and 1 fourth and Kristen Solomon, 1 3
y e a r s g o t 2 f i r s t s
including a trophy dance and 1 fourth.
We l l d o n e g i r l s - y o u h a v e m a d e u s p r o u d !
Knights of da Gama Council 3 Guard of Honour for the
A r c h b i s h o p f o r i n s t a l l a t i o n o f t h e n e w P a r i s h P r i e s t F r.
James Ralston.
On the far right we can finally introduce our Church
accountant, Laurence Van Heerden (A member of the
Knights of Da Gama)
Our Lady of Lebanon
Divine Mercy Prayer Group
I n t r o d u c e s E u c h a r i s t i c A d o r a t i o n
on the First Thursday of every month,
beginning 7 April at 7pm.
T h e B l e s s e d S a c r a m e n t w i l l b e e x p o s e d f o r
prayer and adoration.
All are welcome to attend.

C o n t a c t
Laurence Van Heerden
083 284 1118
“Crack in the Cedar”
JUST PUBLISHED! Our parishioner’s, first Novel.
A true-life Lebanese story titled,
“Crack in the Cedar”.
Get it at - www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk
Go to - ‘BOOKSTORE’ and search,
the title of the book. Available in, Hard/Soft/eBook.
For more info contactAnthony Farah on
072 843 9621

Maronite Catholic Church
Our Lady of Lebanon
Festival
29 May 2011
10AM Solemn Mass
F o l l o w e d b y f o o d a n d e n t e r t a i n m e n t f o r t h e w h o l e
family.
Flea Market stores!
Spectacular Fireworks Display!
All welcome!
48 Blougom Crescent, Liefde & Vrede, Mulbarton
011 432 5331/011 432 5312
Entrance Fee: R20 per person, children under 12
Free

The 21st Birthday Party of Tatum Michael
T h e E n g a g e m e n t o f
Monique Khourie & Ahmed
The Birthday of Raymond Leicher

Th e We d d i n g o f
Fo r b e s
&
Ta n y a (Ge r m a n u s)
Oo s t h u i z e n
Th e We d d i n g o f
Tr a v i s
&
Wa n d a (Sh a m )
Zog h b y

+
The Baptism of Ricardo Teixeira +
Mass for the blessing of the Deacons
Childrens Mass at Our Lady of the Cedars
The Baptism of Jabulile Sibisi
+ +

Ba p t i s m s & We d d i n g s
Co n gr at u l at io n s and blessings to the following members who were baptised or married:
Our Lady of Lebanon - Mulbarton
Baptised
Wi l l o w Sw a r t z
Ga b r i e l l a O’Sh e a
De l a n o Ro g e r i o
Ky l i e Fo r d
Ro s h n i e Si n t h a m a n i e
Pr e v a n i Na i d o o
Ma r l i n Pr e t o r i o u s
Da m i e n Fe r r e i r a
Do m i n i q u e Al b i n o
Ja d e Yo u n g
El i z a b e t h Bo r g e s
Da m i a Lo t t e r
Re i t u m e t s i Le t h a t a
Ma d i s o n Ly c e t t
Ky l i e An n Mi c h a e l
An g e l i n a Ro m a n s
Da n t o n Mi c h a e l
Nt s h u x e k o Na k e d i
Ka b e l o Mo k o e n a
Pa y t o n Kl a a s e n
Zi p h o z e t h u Ye n d e
Parents
Our Lady of Lebanon - Mulbarton
Lucien & Tracy Swartz
James & Paula O’Shea
Igor & Claudia Rogerio
Devon & Nicole Ford
Adult
Adult
Perry & Sinthamanie Ersuan
Nilton & Michelle Ferreira
Rui & Ivone Albino
Wesley & Anna Young
Abel & Amy Borges
Darryl & Candice Lotter
Lesley Lethata & Queen Lengwazi
Justin & Daniella Lycett
Martin & Stephanie Michael
Marlon & Lee-Anne Romans
Anthony & Cherisse Michael
Hasani Makhubele & Matshe
Hilipeho & Aletta Makoena
Andre & Glenda Klaasen
Nhlanhla & Pushe Yende
Weddings
Our Lady of Lebanon - Mulbarton
a Tr a v i s Zo g h b y & Wa n d a Sh a m - 05/03/2011
a Jo h n n y De Ca s t r o & Ju l i a n a Ca r n e i r o - 06/03/2011
a La r a Ma v r i c & Co n r o y Ju t a - 12/03/2011

Ba p t i s m s & We d d i n g s
Co n gr at u l at io n s and blessings to the following members who were baptised or married:
Our Lady of The Cedars - Woodmead
Our Lady of the Cedars - Woodmead
Ja r r y d Mi c h a e l Ko b r o w i s k y
Sa g e An n e Ku d s e e
Co n o r Wi l l i a m s Ro d g e r s
Cristiano Si m o e s
Ka t l e h o Nk a l a n e
Jo s e p h Da h b o u r
Al e c Jo h n Ps a r o s
Baptisms
Glen & Sonya Kobrowisky
Grant & Tasha Kudsee
Tremayne & Claudia Rodgers
Jose Augusto & Maria Simoes
Thabo & Mamosebetsi Nkalane
Mike & Geraldine Dahbour
Dimitri & Lynn Psaros
Obi t ua r i e s †
Our La d y o f Th e Ce d a r s
† Vi n c e n t Kal i f y - 4-Ja n-42 - 21-Ma r-11
† Na n c y McCa n n - 2-Ju l-49 - 20-Ma r-11
† Ke n n e t h Jo h n As s a d - 28-Fe b-49 - 19-Ma r-11
† Pr i s c i l l a La t o u f - 28-Ju l-96 - 26-Ma r-11
Weddings
Our Lady of the Cedars- Woodmead
a Ge o r g e EL-Ha g e & Ma r i a m EL-Kh o u r y - 12/03/2011
a Fo r b e s Oo s t h u i z e n & Ta n y a Ge r m a n u s - 20/03/2011
Share o u r Ma r o n i t e Mag a z i n e
print it, forward it, talk about it...
We e n c o u r a g e y o u t o pr i n t t h i s m a g a z i n e a n d s h a r e it w i t h a fa m i ly m e m b e r o r f r i e n d
w h o d o e s n o t h av e a c c e s s t o Em a i l /In t e r n e t. He l p u s g r ow o u r d a t a b a s e , s e n d y o u r
f r i e n d s a n d fa m i l i e s t h e Ma g a z i n e a n d CC u s in (i n f o@l e b a n e s e fa m i ly c l u b.c o.z a)
Our Lady of Medugorje
Message
2 5 M a r c h 2 011
“Dear children! In a special way today I desire
to call you to conversion. As of today,
m ay n e w l i f e b e g i n i n yo u r h e a r t . C h i l d r e n , I
d e s i r e t o s e e yo u r ‘ y e s ’, a n d m ay yo u r l i f e b e
a j oy f u l l i v i n g o f G o d ’ s w i l l a t e v e r y
moment of your life. In a special way today,
I b l e s s yo u w i t h m y m o t h e r ly b l e s s i n g o f
peace, love and unity in my heart and in the
h e a r t o f m y S o n J e s u s .
Thank you for having responded to my call.”