By dawn on Thursday, churches across Zahle’s diverse Christian communities were brimming with worshippers attending early morning Masses. Following the services, a massive procession snaked its way through the city’s streets, temporarily halting traffic by its sheer size. The procession culminated at the Government Seray, where priests and bishops from various denominations showered blessings upon the gathered crowds.
“This day holds immense significance for us in Zahle,” explained the Melkite Bishop of Zahle, Ibrahim Ibrahim. “Despite our denominational differences, we Christians come together as one to glorify God present in the Bread and Wine. In Zahle, Christian unity has been a lived experience long before the term itself became popular.”
The tradition of celebrating Corpus Christi in Zahle stems from a pivotal moment in the city’s history. In 1825, the bubonic plague, a devastating disease, swept through the region. Following the urging of Bishop Ignace Ajoury, the residents of Zahle held a procession and offered fervent prayers before the Holy Eucharist. Remarkably, the city was spared from the plague’s wrath.
While the feast of Corpus Christi originated in Belgium in 1246, Eastern Christians readily adopted the celebration.
“For nearly two centuries, this tradition has been meticulously passed down from generation to generation, ever since the Eucharistic Miracle saved our city,” the bishop said. “The importance of the Holy Eucharist has been ingrained in our hearts since that time.”
Credit: Source link
