Local born, Joseph Daeif and Paul Morkos Doueihy, are taking their vows to become subdeacon's. This Sunday, 7th December 2008, Joseph will be taking his vows at Ghazir, Mount Lebanon and Paul on Saturday, 13th December 2008 at Karm Saddeh.

The office of subdeacon is the first stage before becoming a priest; the stages being subdeacon, deacon, priest. One glossary of Maronite terms says that, "Subdeacons are charged with 'ministering at the altar', lighting the church and caring for the church building."

The Catholic Encyclopedia, states that, "The duties of a subdeacon are to serve the deacon at Mass; to prepare the bread and wine and sacred vessels for the Holy Sacrifice; to present the chalice and paten at the Offertory, and pour water into the wine for the Eucharist; to chant the Epistles solemnly; to wash the sacred linen."

We look forward to the day that these subdeacons become priests of Zgharta Zawie parishes.

The Maronite Patriarchy has relaunch its website, www.bkerkelb.org with Arabic, English and French versions.

Zgharta is also entering into the Christmas spirit with Christmas lights being hang by the Zgharta Ehden Muncipal Council along the main street.

To see a selection of photographs taken today in Zgharta go to the Galleria - Today in Zgharta.

Preparations are in hand to transform Ehden into a winter wonderland for Christmas.

A Christmas tree has been constructed over the Al Midan Fountain and nearby a manger is being built.

Santa's elves who are doing the work look very familiar or are doubles for Chafic Ghazale and Mark Fenianos of Ehden Adventures; Kabalan Gitany of Platanus; Joe & Raymond Gitany of Ayloul Restaurant; together with Rizk Frangieh.

The materials for the tree and manger have been supplied by the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council and the event is being organised in conjunction with the Al Midan restaurants and cafés and Ehden Adventures.

Once completed, with fairy lights and decorations, there will be festive music played all day in Al Midan. On Christmas Eve there will blazers around the Christmas tree with mulled wine served after Midnight Mass.

Photographs showing the construction taken by Chafic can be seen in his Galleria Portfolio, from here.

Tonight in Zgharta there will be small ghoulish apparitions walking the neighbourhood. Their knock on the door will be anticipated and when the door opens the onlooker will see little smiling faces in frightening costumes. For tonight is Zgharta Halloween and tomorrow, 4th December 2008, is Saint Barbara’s Feast Day.

Saint Barbara’s day signals the beginning of the Christmas season in Lebanon, Syria, and parts of France and Germany. Children in their costumes go door-to-door collecting candy and other small gifts.

There are different versions of the Saint’s life but most contain the same key elements.

Saint Barbara lived in the 4th Century AD near Nicomedia in Asia Minor. She was the daughter of a wealthy heathen called Dioscorus. Because of her great beauty and fearful that she be demanded in marriage and taken away from him, her father jealously shut her up in a tower. Before going on a journey, he commissioned the building of a bathhouse for her, approving the design before he departed. Barbara influenced by her faith had the builders add another window so that the three windows might symbolize the Holy Trinity.

When her father returned, he was enraged at the changes of his design and infuriated when Barbara acknowledged that she was a Christian. He dragged her before the perfect of the province, who decreed that she be tortured and put to death by beheading. Dioscorus himself carried out the death sentence. On his way home he was struck by lightening and his body consumed.

The legend of the lightning bolt, which struck down her persecutor, caused her to be regarded as the patron saint in time of danger from thunderstorms, fires and sudden death. When gunpowder made its appearance in the Western world she was invoked for aid against accidents and she became the patroness of the artillerymen. She was venerated as early as the seventh century and is usually represented standing by a tower with three windows, carrying the palm of a martyr in her hand. Often, too, she holds a chalice and a sacramental wafer and sometimes cannons are displayed near her.

The Roman Catholic Church reduced her veneration from that of "universal" to "local" as happened with St George and other Saints. Her feast day is part of the Maronite Church calendar of Saints. She is venerated in the Eastern orthodox churches including the Coptic Church, from which the icon featured in the main photograph comes from.

The Water Authority of North Lebanon has advertised for tenders for,"Providing and operating clocks to regulate the working hours at the Water Authority of North Lebanon."

Perhaps this explains why Zgharta Zawie are having problems with their water supplies. The working day ends before its starts.

Last Sunday, 30th November 2008, saw a contingent of El Marada Youth, in their green livery, run in the "Blom 08 Beirut Marathon against Cancer. The race had 30,000 runners from 63 countries.

In Australia, two Sunday's time on 14th December 2008, the Australian El Marada party is holding a Christmas Family BBQ at the Marada Centre at 84 Woodstock Street, Guildford, Sydney. It begins at 11.30 am ending at 6 pm

Mass was said for the late President René Moawad on Saturday, 29th November 2008, at the René Moawad Foundation Centre, Mejdlaya. The Mass was officiated by the Ehden born and former Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta Ehden, Archbishop Paul Emile Saade, on behalf of the Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir. Among those assisting the Mass was Fr. Estephan Frangieh of the Parish of Zgharta Ehden. Music was provided by the Qadisha Choir.

The letter from the Patriarch recording the life of the President was read out by Fr. Tony Al Ahl.

Among the congregation were representatives of the Lebanese President, Prime Minister, the Speaker, Ministers, the Armed Forces together with a large number of Members of Parliament and Ambassadors, including those for USA and China. The President's widow and daughter in law were also present as well members of the family and local people.

Those who attended, estimated by Lebanese TV channel, LBCI, as some 12,000, have told us that they noted the absence of Bishop Samir Mazloum, Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta Ehden and any representative of the Zgharta Ehden Muncipal Council.

After the Mass the President's son, Michel Rene Moawad, (36), delivered a hard hitting speech, which has attracted wide spread coverage in the Lebanese media. It is fair to say that the speech has attracted both approval and disapproval by the respective political factions in Lebanon.

At the ceremony a letter from the French Embassy of Beirut was read out confirming that the French President had awarded the President's widow, Mrs. Nayla René Moawad, the Legion of Honour.

The news broadcast report by, LBCI, of the Mass and Michel Moawad's speech has been downloaded on, You Tube, which can be seen from here.

Photographs of the ceremony can be see in the Galleria from here.
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The Association for Forests, Development & Conservation, (AFDC) published earlier this year an report on the state of Lebanon's forests, including Horsh Ehden.

The Report, State of Lebanon's Forests 2007, offers a comprehensive perspective on the local forestry sector, including its environmental, economic, socio-cultural and religious aspects. The Report also synthesizes the most current available information. An analytical section was added to the Report comprising up-to-date analyses and interpretations of recently acquired data especially those of satellite images.

The Report can be downloaded from here.

The pupils of Ste. Famile's School had Lebanon's famous mountaineer, Maxime Edgard Chaya, visit them on Tuesday, 25th November 2008. He was the first Lebanese to climb to the top of Everest, the world's highest mountain.

He spoke of his adventures and that everyone had the potential to reach their own summits in life. Present were Sister Nada Abi Fadel, Head of School and Councilor Simon Kandelaft. The pupils presented Maxime with a commemorative shield.

Photographs of the visit can be seen in the Galleria, from here.

The Republic of Lebanon marks, Lebanon's 65th Independence Day, on Saturday 22nd November 2008, with its 11th President, President Michel Sleiman leading the celebrations.

The day also marks the 19th Anniversary of the assassination of Ehden born and Lebanon's 8th President, President René Anis Moawad, and those died with him, on 22nd November 1989.

President Moawad's words are still relevant today as when he made them to the Lebanese people,

"There can be no country or dignity without unity of the people, and there can be no unity without agreement, and there can be no agreement without conciliation, and there can be no conciliation without forgiveness and compromise."

On Saturday, 29th November 2008, there will be a remembrance ceremony at the René Moawad Foundation's complex at Mejdlaya, starting at 4 pm.

The Lebanese television channel, LBC TV, in 2006 broadcast an documentary on President Moawad's life, which can be viewed from here.

A selection of photographs, including the wreath laying by Minister Moawad, accompanied among others by Mrs. Michel Moawad, Minister Lahoud, Member of Parliament Jawad Boulos at the Memorial Plaque where President Moawad's assassination took place, can be viewed on the Full Story page.

The Lebanese newspaper, Aliwaa, on Saturday carried an interview with the President's son, Michel René Moawad, which can be read from the below links. During the interview he talks about his father, the influence he had on him and the last time he saw him alive.

Arabic

English - Google


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The Lebanese National News Agency reported today, Tuesday, 18th November 2008, that three Israeli Air Force planes flew from the West over Tripoli, Zgharta, Bshari, and the cedars region up to Baalbak, this afternoon.

The Association of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy has published a book on the Monastery of Sarkis & Bakhous by Boutros Wehbé Douaihy. It deals with the history of the Monastery and its relationship with the local nature, heritage and community.

The book was reviewed in today's edition of the Lebanese national newspaper, An Anwar, which can be read from the below links:

Arabic

English - Google

As reported, the author of the book, is against commercial development of the area by the Monastery, especially hotels, saying Ehden has seven already and ten restaurants. We are not sure if the publication is the first skirmish in an campaign against the Antonine Monks who owned the Monastery and parts of the surrounding land. Nor do we know if the author's views are supported by the Association, who published the book.

The youth wing of the political party, El Marada, are undertaking three days of clearing away debris along the open water course of the River Merdachieh, in Zgharta.

Nearby neigbours have complained of the smell and threat to their fresh water. Complaints have been made recently to the North Lebanon Water Authority about the issue.

The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council has apparently, pardon the pun, washed its hands of the problem, saying the problem is not their responsibility. We assume that they do not wish to set a precedent and undertake such tasks.

The Lebanese newspaper, As Safir, has reported the initiative in today's issue.

Those of an cynical nature say, expect more such initiatives by the youth wings of the local parties as the General Election approaches. In any event well done the youth of Zgharta, of whatever colour. Continue to embarrass the elders. The photograph is courtesy of El Marada.