Mass commemorating the 70th anniversary of the passing of Patriarch Anton AridaSunday, October 5, 2025
08/10/2025
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: The Bsharri Association in New South Wales commemorated the 70th anniversary of the passing of Patriarch Antonis Arida with a Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Harris Park. He was assisted by Monsignor Marcelino Youssef and a group of priests. Also participating in the Mass were the Archbishop of the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, His Eminence Vardan Navasardian, and a number of Maronite nuns of the Holy Family, including Sister Ilham Geagea.
The Mass was attended by the Minister of Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen MP Donna Davis, state member for Parramatta; a number of social, political, cultural, and media figures from the Lebanese community; and a crowd of Bsharri community. Also in attendance were the President of the Maronite League, John Chedid; and the former President of the Maronite League, Toufic Kayrouz, and his wife.
During the Mass Bishop Tarabay and Msgr Marcelino In his sermon, Bishop Tarabay reflected on the Jubilee Year of Hope during a Mass of Loyalty dedicated to a revered patriarch, eternally present in the history and conscience of both the Maronite Church and Lebanon. He stated:
“Our gathering today, around the altar of the Lord, transcends these themes, which we remember with all of you and with the people of Bsharri. I take this opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks to them, especially to the Bsharri Association, led by Mr. Pierre Sukkar, for their invitation to this noble occasion. The great man for whom we are gathered was remarkable in his faith, in his ecclesiastical and Maronite service, in his national and Lebanese convictions, and in his works of mercy. We reflect on three values that defined him: prayer, charity, and hope.”
First and foremost, Patriarch Arida was a man of prayer, a sacred connection with God that remained unbroken throughout his life. He cultivated this devotion as a child in his family home in Bsharri, the cradle of the cedars and guardian of the sacred valley. It was as if the incense from monasteries and caves, and the hymns of ascetics and worshippers, infused his young life and shaped his spiritual identity. These influences grew with him, both consciously and subconsciously, forming a man of God who prayed, meditated, and trusted in divine providence.
A part of guests at the hall with Bishop Tarabay and Bishop Navasardian Joe Arida (L) and Pierre Sukkar
Secondly, Patriarch Arida embodied mercy and Christian love. This distinction arose from both his family and personal background. He was raised among generous and loyal brothers, devoted to God’s gifts and wise in managing the Lord’s talents. Personally, he was drawn to giving; indeed, he loved and was passionate about it. This spirit of generosity reflects the pinnacle of Christian teaching: to share one’s bread with the needy and one’s joy with others, thereby entering the depths of Christian joy and the essence of love. His life was marked by compassion, especially during the hardships Lebanon faced in the First and Second World Wars.
Thirdly, Patriarch Arida was a beacon of hope. His accomplishments reveal a visionary planner, builder, and founder. He contributed to the construction of the Dimane edifice, including its magnificent church adorned with paintings by Saliba Douaihy. He revitalized agricultural lands in the region and established a patriarchal agency in Marseille to support the Maronite diaspora. His most profound legacy may be his unwavering national stance as the Patriarch of Independence. He played a pivotal role in shaping Lebanon’s identity, independent of both East and West, through his leadership and the conferences he convened.
In closing, we pray that the initiative to end the war in Gaza may bring an end to terrorism, to destruction, and to the suffering of the Palestinian people. May it open the door to a just and lasting peace in the region. Amen.
Camil Shalala (L) and Hon. Chris Bowen MP Following the Mass, the congregation moved to the Cathedral Hall, where His Eminence Bishop Tarabay delivered a speech on the life of Patriarch Arida. He was followed by Pierre Sukkar, President of the Bsharri Association. A number of speeches were then delivered by political, partisan, cultural, and social figures in Lebanon. The master of ceremonies was the media personality Hana Rahme.
Hon. Chris Bowen MP, and Donna Davis MP Patriarch Arida’s writings include 24 pastoral circulars and 65 theological and social letters. He also compiled a French dictionary that traces linguistic roots to Semitic origins. Arida was a fierce advocate for Lebanese independence and the Christian presence in the region, famously pledging his personal belongings to aid the poor and convening a landmark conference in Bkerke in 1941.
His final words, “I never sought glory for myself, neither as a priest, nor as a bishop, nor as a patriarch”, encapsulate a life of humility and service.
Cutting the cake at the hall Patriarch Anton Arida’s legacy continues to inspire generations, reminding the faithful of the enduring power of conscience, work, wisdom, and holiness.
A luncheon was held at the conclusion. |
