Weekly Newsletter– Issue 265
January 4– 10th 2014
Coordinated and Supervised by:
Marie– Therese Kreidy
Script and Layout: Rita Karam
Translation: Eliane Aoun
Télé Lumière — Dora Square Beirut - Lebanon
January 6th: The Epiphany
phone:+961-1-255500
Fax: +961-1-255001 P.O Box: 80-900 Lebanon
Web site: www.telelumiere.com e-mail: programs@telelumiere.com info@telelumiere.com
Holy Mass for St Takla Sisters- Maaloula:
Messages of Solidarity from the Eastern
Bishops at St Takla ChurchSed el- Bouchrieh
“And You Become My Witnesses…”
is the theme of the ecumenical gathering which was
held last Sunday by “Nour Sharq” channel of Tele Lumiere
Group, to pray for the kidnapped Sisters of Maaloula at St Takla
Church, Sed el- Bouchrieh.
The gathering was attended by: Bishop Boulos
Matar, Bishop Roland Abou Jaoude, Bishop George
Saliba, Bishop Michel Kassarji, Bishop Cyril Salim Bustros, Bishop Youhanna Jihad Battah, and the priests: Fr.
Sebouh Karabidian (representing the Armenian Catholic Patriarch), Fr. Antonios Ibrahim (representing the Patriarch of the Catholic Copts), Fr. Joseph Khoury
(representing Bishop Elias Kfoury), Msgr. Baren Vartanian (Armenian Orthodox), Fr. Roueiss Orchalimi
(Orthodox Copts), Fr. Yatroun Coliana (representing the
Assyrian Church), the Capuchin Fr. Francois
al- Kossaifi, Reverend Habib Bader, Metn
administrative officer Marlene Haddad, Jdeideh- Bouchrieh- Sed Head of Municipality
Antoine Gebara, Sin el- Fil Head of Municipality Nabil Kahaleh, Sed Mayor Nakhlé
Faddoul, Tele Lumiere and Noursat General Director Jacques kallassi, the Programs
Director Marie- Therese Kreidy, “Nour
Sharq” Programs Director Marie- Therese Hnein Basha, in addition to crowds of believers.
The gathering was inaugurated with the speech of Tele Lumiere Group delivered by the General Secretary Dr. Antoine Saad who explained the significance of choosing, for this gathering, St Takla Church where
its patroness is among the first martyrs and the last witnesses to what happened to the sisters of her convent in
Maaloula. The nuns with the two abducted Bishops, the priests and faithful in hostage continue, through martyrdom, persecution, displacement or captivity of their churches, houses and villages, what is
still lacking in regard to the passion of their Divine Teacher walking the Way of the Cross.
As well, Saad explained how “Nour Sharq” channel, the new- born of Tele Lumiere
Group- is committed to share with its viewers the concerns of the Eastern people, carry
their aspirations, keep them firm as to become witnesses before the nations and history.
Bishop Matar presided over the Divine Liturgy with the assistance of the parish
servant Fr. Joseph Sweid and other priests. After reading the Holy Bible, Matar gave his
homily praying for Maloula Sisters and stated: "Since when women are retained and held as hostages on the
contrary of what is imposed by the dignity of the Arab people and dictated by their gallantry for which they are
known? We are presenting this issue especially from this viewpoint because we are expecting from our brothers
in Syria, whatever was the side they belong to, to force the perpetrators of these faults that are inconsistent with
religion and civilization, to refrain from such a behavior and to obey the laws of God.”
Highlighted Programs
Saturday January 4th
My Vocation
The Lord invited him to His altar so he
answered the call and experienced it with
the joy of the son and the faithfulness of the
servant. In the world of immigration, he
became among his parishioners the chaplain
responsible for the priesthood vocations at
Our Lady of Lebanon Parish- USA.
Watch this encounter with Msgr. Charbel
Competition at the Holy Land
The competition among students to
know deeply the Word of God in the
Holy Bible continues to the rhythm of
the most wonderful religious songs
with the Greek Orthodox Choir at
the Holy Land.
16.00 – 15.00 GMT - 9.00 EST
Great in Loving You Jesus
At the Mercy Convent’s hospital
church of the Antonine SistersRoumieh, celebrate Christmas
with the elderly, the blessing of our
families, in a concert with Fr. Jean
Jabbour.
17.30 – 15.30 GMT - 10.30 EST
Names in Heaven
Light from Light
Ehden the fortress of saints and
vocations gave Patriarchs, Bishops,
priests, monks, nuns and hermits.
With love, communion and cooperation, they renew their lives in the
Holy Spirit, on the Epiphany in an
exclusive episode with Fr. Roukoz
Boutros and Dany Antoun.
Maroun and Rima Malek.
18.00 – 16.00 GMT - 11.00 EST
3.00 – 1.00 GMT - 20.00 EST
The Bitter Time
Gambling: another kind of addiction, when
it knocks at your door, your home is
shaken and the family’s problem worsens.
Written by: Malika Kallas
Directed by: Maurice Rizk.
19.00 – 17.00 GMT - 12.00 EST
Kingdom
What are the symbols of Christmas and
their significance? How does “Basma” Association serve in society? How does the
Church live Christmas with the persecutions
it is facing? Don’t miss this evening of prayer
and reflection on these themes, including
Christmas carols presented by Shams
Saad.
22.30 – 20.30 GMT - 15.30 EST
20.30 – 18.30 GMT - 13.30 EST
Journey of Holiness
Treachery can cause someone to be absent but cannot
kill his thought, spirit and faith. Bitter events occurred
and unveiled the secret of existence that is mixed with
Heavenly love and sublime faith. Interesting documentary about the martyr Fr. Genadios Mourany
(OMM) with May Mansour.
Sunday January 5th
Departure with No Return
To Gorée Island- Senegal witnessing to injustice, discrimination
and slavery for more than 200 years,
we head breaking the barriers and
we discover the full story with
Johnny Antoun.
18.00 – 16.00 GMT- 11.00 EST
Christmas behind the Bars
With Him the prisoner becomes free,
the weak becomes strong and the new
birth is achieved. From inside Roumieh prison, we highlight the difficulties faced by the prisoners and their
pains during the feasts in this investigation with Johnny Antoun.
20.30 – 18.30 GMT - 13.30 EST
The Word Became flesh
and Dwelled Among Us
Commemorating the nativity of the great
love and joy, join us and listen to Byzantine
religious hymns and songs with the choir of
the Magi Kings, and to meditations by the
poet Nizar Fares, at Our Lady of the
Annunciation Church- Zouk Mikael.
22.30 – 20.30 GMT - 15.30 EST
22.00 – 20.00 GMT - 15.00 EST
My
Vocation
How are the
priesthood
vocations
revealed?
How
do
their spiritual
seeds grow
and how do
we differentiate the true from the ephemeral vocation? Msgr.
Charbel Maroun, the responsible for the priesthood
vocations at Our Lady of Lebanon parish- USA,
informs us about the issue with Rima Malek.
3.00 – 1.00 GMT - 20.00 EST
Monday January 6th
Christmas Holy Mass
of the Assyrian Orthodox Community
At St George Assyrian Orthodox Church- Achrafieh, we celebrate the Christmas Holy
Mass asking for the blessings of the divine New- Born and His peace.
7.00 – 5.00 GMT - 00.00 EST
Christmas Holy Mass of the Armenian Orthodox Community
At the Armenian Church Catholicosate of CiliciaAntelias, we celebrate Christmas with the members of the
community, in the Holy Mass presided over by Patriarch
Aram I Kichichian.
10.00 – 8.00 GMT - 3.00 EST LIVE
2013 Achievements
Each year is known for its particular distinct
flavor and originality, and for its harvest that
is the spiritual treasure offered by Tele
Lumiere to millions of viewers around the
world. Know more about the most important achievements and events of the last
year in this documentary with Rita Karam.
My Life Is Christ
She was living far away from God. He
touched her heart so she got closer to
Him progressively, found with Him the
true joy and performed her mission with
the needy people and sick through
Krostok Association. She is the president
of the association Rania Nasrallah who
gives her testimony with Gisele
Hachem Zared.
18.00 – 16.00 GMT- 11.00 EST
Challenges
What will 2014 bring to the Eastern
Christians? What are their expectations
amidst the ongoing challenges? Where is the
Arab fraternity in preserving the minorities
and their banners? What is the Vatican’s
position regarding the persecution of Christians and the religious freedom? New
theme “The Expectations of the Christians in 2014” with Minister Michel Edde, the guest of Charbel Zwein.
Christmas Holy Mass of the Orthodox
Copts
With the Patriarch on the Holy See of
St Mark the Apostle Pope Tawadros
II, we celebrate Christmas with the
Orthodox Copts, asking the Lord of
the Universe to spread peace in Egypt
and the entire world.
22.00 – 20.00 GMT - 15.00 EST LIVE
20.30 – 18.30 GMT - 13.30 EST LIVE
The Lamp of the Valley
The Salvatorian pious monk, whose only treasure
was the Word of the Creator to inherit the throne
of holiness, lived for God and for others. He increased in heroic spiritual virtues. Watch the life
story of Venerable Bechara Abou Mrad shown in
the film “The Lamp of the Valley’.
Tuesday January 7th
Christmas Holy Mass
of the Catholic Copts
Join the members of the Catholic Coptic Church
in Lebanon and celebrate Christmas with them in
the Holy Mass officiated by the shepherd of the
Copts in Lebanon Fr. Antonios Ibrahim at St
Anthony Church- Jdeideh.
9.30 – 7.30 GMT - 2.30 EST
7.00 – 5.00 GMT - 00.00 EST
Christmas Concert
Christmas religious songs are presented in Armenian by the youth choir
of
the
Armenian
Orthodox
Archbishopric in Lebanon at St Vartan Church- Bourj Hammoud.
14.00 – 12.00 GMT - 7.00 EST
Oriental Byzantine Religious Songs
from the Holy Land
From the land where the light of
Christ shone in the world, we sing
with Jesus the King Orthodox
Choir of the Nativity Greek Orthodox Church- Bethlehem in
a huge Christmas concert.
18.00 – 16.00 GMT - 11.00 EST
Good News for the Humanity
On the Nativity of the Light, Jesus the Savior,
we sing with the angels and spread the peace of
the Annunciation in a concert with the choir
Tele Lumiere Technical Academy and Katia
Hareb, at St Sergius and Bacchus ChurchBejjeh.
16.00 – 15.00 GMT - 9.00 EST
The Pillars of Light
A documentary shows Saidnaya, the village of
churches and Maaloula the grotto made by
the human persons and Heaven, highlighting
these ecclesiastic treasures that were struck by
terrorism.
21.30 – 19.30 GMT - 14.30 EST
Wednesday January 8th
How Beautiful is Christmas!
Feel the joy of the feast through singing that
fills the hearts and souls with joy. Sing
Christmas with the Christian singer
Sanaa Moussa Nassar, at the Cultural
Sport Resort- Chiyeh.
13.00 – 12.00 GMT - 6.00 EST
Thursday January 9th
Realities from the Past
What is the Mutasarrifiyya rule? What were
its repercussions on the Lebanese society?
How did it influence the real estate, agriculture
and industry? Useful information in this program with Samir Estfan and Roula Elia.
19.00 – 17.00 GMT- 12.00 EST
Friday January 10th
May You Find Recovery
People consider disease as a calamity, what are
the ways helping us to prevent it? What do we
know about it? And how do we treat it? Medical
themes are highlighted by physicians and specialists
with Bashir Baaklini and Dalia Freifer.
18.00 – 16.00 GMT - 11.00 EST
18.30 – 16.30 GMT - 11.30 EST
Christmas concert from Haifa
With Maalaya Music ChoirHaifa, watch a special Christmas
concert from the Holy Land.
14.00 – 12.00 GMT - 7.00 EST
Christians in Society
Should the Church interfere in politics and law?
How does she deal with the social cases and
poverty? Why does she consider the tax collection as a right? How should the Christians
understand and accept her teachings? A program
presents life issues that reveal the social teaching
of the Church.
22.00 – 20.00 GMT - 15.00 EST
Spiritual Dimensions
Christianity shows love that witnesses to
the eternal glory, theological facts and historic realities reveal the development of the
Christian thought and the sublime human
life with Fr. George Rahmé and May Mansour.
22.30 – 20.30 GMT - 15.30 EST
Bishop Matar added: " If we had to start with ourselves, we the Christian population
are of noble origin in this East, we take part in its legacy and civilization in the past, in its glow
and values in the present, and in its progress and good destiny in the future, and according to
the will of God. We do not want in this East a separated fate from the common destiny of our
Muslim brothers."
Following the Holy Mass, Tele Lumiere and Noursat
General Director Mr. Jacques Kallassi delivered a speech under
the theme "Arab people, where is amnesty" underlining that
"everybody, the international community and the great powers,
knows that our civilization is targeted, our holy sites are targeted, our languages are targeted, and our presence is targeted... all of them know that wars, kidnapping, murder and fear breed generations which are no
longer believing unless in money, weapons , power and domination. Kallassi ended that "Christians do not
fear if they leave the East, they fear for the East when they leave."
Bishop Elias Kfoury made, through his speech delivered by Fr. Joseph Khoury a call to the
murderers and the kidnappers: " We forgive you in Christ, not
because we are weak, but because we are stronger than you,
because forgiveness is stronger than hatred, we are strong in
love, therefore we possess a more fatal weapon, forgiveness.”
The speech of Bishop George Saliba brought Christmas
blessings highlighting "the children of Christ are killed, beaten, persecuted and killed by
villains who are recruited by the devil to carry out its goals, hatred and extended wickedness. The Christians at the mercy of these bad people suffer fiercely, their hearts and eyes
yearning to Heaven and feeling in their hearts
"How long, O Lord, you won’t retaliate for our
sake from these bad people"
The leader of the Chaldean community in Lebanon Bishop Michel Kassarji, repeated
with Pope Francis 'Fraternity blew out the flames of war" and urged the safe return of the
respectable Bishop Boulos Yaziji and Bishop Youhanna Ibrahim to the land of our
beloved Syria. He also sent a human message asking for the peaceful return of Maaloula
Sisters to their monastery, the safe homecoming of prisoners, and for silencing the voice of
bombs, bullets, iron and fire.
Bishop Youhanna Jihad Battah underlined "Preserving the Eastern Christians is not
the responsibility of the Patriarchs and Bishops only, but it is everyone's responsibility, each
one according to his position, it is the responsibility of the international community, the responsibility of the Muslims as well as Christians and all friends in the entire world. And defending Maaloula "is not related to the
fact that it is a Christian village which still speaks the language of Jesus Christ until now, but because it consists of a high-born human
and civilized heritage"
Msgr. Baren Vartanian stated in his speech: "We are heralds of goodness and peace, because we are the children of God. Today we
are praying for peace and the release of the prisoners, the persecuted and oppressed people ...’ Then, he ended with a prayer asking
God to sow peace, love and goodness in the hearts of all human person to stay away from evil and criminality and to send back all prisoners and tortured to their homes and families.
Father Sebouh Karabidian addressed a message to the Manger’s Child, describing what is happening in the "crucified East" by the
"spring of Caïn", "we are the witnesses of Caïn’s rise, our actions witness, our words witness, our thoughts witness, and here is the blood of Abel everywhere ...’
Fr. Roueiss Orchalimi stated in his speech: "As we see the persecutions in Iraq, Egypt
and Syria, such as Maaloula and Saidnaya, and what is happening regarding the burning of
churches and monasteries, the slaughtering and abducting of monks, nuns, Bishops and faithful,
reminds us of the martyrdom era in the time of our Fathers the Apostles, and we do not fear
persecution. But we pray for those who mistreat us."
Fr. Antonios Ibrahim delivered the speech of Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac, affirming the
solidarity of "the Coptic Catholic Church with the beloved people of Syria, regarding their
hopes and pains, and it is praying for the peace of this ancient country ... to regain stability and
for the safe homecoming of migrants and hostages.”
Reverend Habib Bader considered that “one of the most difficult ordeals is that the human being fails to change what is going on
around him and to stop kidnapping, violence, death and murder. We cannot justify what happened and is happening, because there is no
case, no matter how sublime it is in the eyes of who is committed to it, gives him the right to transgress the life and dignity of others,
how much more the life and dignity of servant,
loved and peaceful sisters".
The Capuchin Fr. Francois al-Qosaifi called
"the officials to work hard for the release of the
abducted women, even if we believe that who
kidnapped them is the hostage and they are free.”
At the end of the meeting, they said the “Our
Father” prayer on the altar, and a commemorative photo was taken.
Jeanne D’Arque Abi Yaghi