September 29, 1999
Report of the Visit (English - Arabic) Photo Gallery Talk to the Students (Arabic)
On Wednesday, September 29, 1999, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America visited the Balamand Monastery and University. His Eminence Metropolitan Elias of Beirut accompanied him.
Metropolitan PHILIP spent a whole day in Balamand, a place very dear to him. Along with the Thrice Blessed Metropolitan Antony Bashir, His Eminence played a key role in gathering funds that led to the establishment of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology. The Archdiocese of North America continues its yearly support to the Theological School and also supports the building plans of the University of Balamand.
Upon his arrival, Sayedna was welcomed by His Eminence Metropolitan Elias (Kurban) of Tripoli, Dr. Elie Salem, President of Balamand University, and Archimandrite Paul Yazigi, Dean of the Faculty of Theology. The choir of St. John of Damascus chanted and processed with Sayedna to the reception room. There Sayedna gave the seminarians as a blessing the icon of St. John of Damascus.
After a short rest, Sayedna PHILIP talked to the students and the Faculty about the inception of the Seminary and the private discussion he had with the Thrice Blessed Metropolitan Antony, who was worried about the future of Antioch. Sayedna PHILIP gave the solution: a school of Theology that will produce teachers of Orthodox Faith in the land of Antioch. Sayedna PHILIP reminded the attendants of the importance of the Theological School, which constituted the focal point for the establishment of the current university. Then he spoke about "Practical Theology" and the importance of learning prayer, humility and love of the people of God. He repeatedly emphasized that all theological knowledge might lead to emptiness if it is not incarnated in works of love to our neighbor. At the end of the talk, the Dean of the Faculty of Theology presented His Eminence with gifts (Some of the Balamand Publications and an icon of St. John of Damascus), thanking him for his gracious visit and talk.
Immediately following his talk, Sayedna PHILIP visited the Monastery of our Lady of Balamand and walked through its newly renovated halls. Sayedna remembered his time at the monastery where he studied at the clerical school during the years 1945 to 1947, and where he taught Arabic Literature in 1952.
His Eminence also visited the University of Balamand and met with its professors. Then he returned to the Faculty of Theology where he presided over the service of the Blessing of Water. This prayer service was held in the occasion of the beginning of the new academic year. Following the service, an official lunch was held in the honor of His Eminence, and was attended by the officers of Balamand University, the Deans of the theological schools in Lebanon and many priests and deacons.
His Eminence departed to Beirut at 3:00 PM, leaving a spiritual and emotional impact on all the Balamand community that knows him as a man of love.
