"Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be recognized as children of God". (Math 5:9)

1 - It pleases us to meet with you, once more, in this church where, four years ago, we celebrated the Mass together. We renew our thanks for the warm welcome that we received then and are receiving today.

2 - Indeed, our presence, in this historic place, is to meet with their Beatitudes, the Catholic Patriarchs of the East. Tradition dictates that we meet annually in the patriarchal residence of each of us here present and this year, we get to meet, for the second time, in this dear country Egypt.

3 - Christian Morality in the East is this year subject of study and contemplation and is nowadays, a major concern to all of us. Several of our sons are deviating from our traditional Christian teaching and opting for different attitudes that develop from our modern world. Christian traditions and discipline and the faith in God, the Father, in his Son, Jesus Christ and in his Holy Spirit produced years of evolution in an ethic we have learned to cherish and to appreciate. Faith, a dogma of the life of the Christian, also teaches us to be peacemakers and it is the Lord saying that "Happy are the peacemakers; they shall be recognized as children of God". (Math 5:9)

4- Peacemaking is not easy. Peace requires concord between antagonists in dispute. Whereas, disputes and wars require only the ambition and the personal instincts of a single party who, while satisfying a thirst of domination, launches himself in the battle, scorch borders, causes the death of thousands of innocent, displaces peaceful inhabitants and causes useless destruction to their homes and possessions. You all know that Lebanon, unfortunately, lives daily in the condition of a war that lasted over two decades.

Despite a national peace that allows citizen of our country to live, to work and to circulate in Lebanon, our south is still a prey to war that is causing humiliation, misfortunes and death of peaceful citizens. We pray that the peace initiatives succeed and hope that the Egyptians statesmen, befitted with privileged relations with various countries, do their best effort to help us acquire this peace. We ask God that their efforts be successful.

5 - Peacemaking is not easy, but possible with God's help. Some circumstances allow peace to be achieved. The Holy Scripture says: "The product of uprightness will be peace, the effect of uprightness being quiet and security for ever. My people will live in a peaceful home, in peaceful houses, tranquil dwellings" (Isaiah32: 17-18) There is no peace without justice, a justice that secures the individual his full rights for decent living.

Justice does not kill. It does not displace inhabitants and destroy properties for the benefit of others. Power does not make peace and the powerful of today may be the weak of tomorrow. Aggressiveness and Vengeance dwells with the defeated till the day he believes he may able to react; thus creating an endless quest of violence. After the Second World War, many nations understood this and are no longer prey to former confrontations. They are decided to peace and collaboration for the sake of their citizens. Without ambiguity, they unify their efforts to get a just and lasting peace,

6- God's worship produces peace. Jesus Christ says: "Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid". (John: 14:27). God's peace comes with prayer, sacraments and sacrifices and in following Christ's words "Treat other as you would like people to treat you" (Luk 6:31). God created us to his image and in doing so, we became brothers and should live in reciprocal respect and true love.

7 - During his visit to Lebanon on May 10, 1997 the Holy Father gave us an Apostolic Exhortation. There he "exhorts the Catholics and invites, at the same time, other Christians of good will, to take decisive actions and to use the weapons of peace and justice. It is very important to develop and promote, between members of the Lebanese nation, a real understanding of peace, reconciliation and harmony. In the ecumenical relations", he said " and in inter-religious relationship, the meaning of peace is the fundamental element of brotherly dialogue." He further said, "We must never forget that a gesture of peace will disarm an adversary and invite him to answer to a hand shake. Peace is a wealth in itself and is very contagious.

There are many instances in our Christian history, of saints that induced reconciliation due to a peaceful attitude, based on prayer and the imitation of Jesus Christ. (98, Post-synod Apostolic Exhortation, A New Hope for Lebanon).

8 - The Universal Church is getting ready for the celebration of the third millenium jubilee. The Holy Father dedicated this year to the knowledge of the Father. The next year will be to the knowledge of the Son and the one after to the knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Catholic world, We are getting ready for this jubilee under the auspices of Mgr. Youssef DERGHAM and with the hope that, the parochial devotion, the great piety, prayers and the devout practices of your beloved Son Father Nader Kozhaya, reflect back on us and on the whole world.

Our joy is great to meet together. We ask God, by the grace of the Blessed Virgin, to bless your parish, your families, your works and your country, and that He may keep you eternally in his grace.

Alexandria, October 19, 1997,