The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon and the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta celebrated the feast of St John the Baptist, Patron of the Order, during a Holy Mass presided by Msgr Cesar Essayan, bishop of the Latin Apostolic Vicariate of Beirut, in the presence of the new Papal Nuncio to Lebanon, H.E.Mgr. Joseph Spiteri at the beautiful Saint Louis Cathedral in Down Town Beirut.
The Holy Mass was attended by H.E.Mr. Nicolas Tueini representing the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Michel Aoun, H.E.Mr. Michel Moussa, representing the President of the Chamber Nabih Berry and H.E.Mr. Daoud Sayegh, representing Prime Minister Hariri.
Bishops and representatives of all religious denominations also participated in the feast, including representatives of the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, the Druze Spiritual leader as well as representatives of partner Islamic foundations.
Current and previous ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors and diplomatic advisors as well as the Order of Maltas centers management and staff, head of partner religious congregations, representatives of the Lebanese Army and Security Forces, and all the members of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta were also present.
In his homily, Monsignor Essayan praised the works of the Order of Malta whose primary concern is to preserve the dignity of every suffering person regardless of their race, color or religion.
