Maronite Patriarch, Bechara Rahi, celebrated Thursday the “Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin” by presiding over a Mass service held at the summer patriarchal residence in al-Diman.

In his religious sermon, Rahi stressed the need for a “national reform stance that would revive Lebanon and restore the characteristic of pluralism, openness and democracy.”

“The Feast of the Assumption of Virgin Mary in body and soul to Heaven is a celebration of the dignity of man himself and his body, and marks the sanctity of human life and body,” said the Patriarch, adding, “For this reason the Church continues the cry of the Gospel and condemns every attack on this human being, of whatever kind, be it spiritual, moral or physical.”

“We ask the concerned officials to be alert and well-aware of what is going on and work to fix matters in the country,” he added, asserting that “the political system in Lebanon is neither a dictatorship nor a Nazi or a tyrant rule.”

The Patriarch concluded by pleading to the blessed Virgin to watch over Lebanon and intervene with her prayers for the Lord to bless this nation and its people.