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November 24, 2005 |
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During his visit to Balamand, His Beatitude IGNATIUS IV, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, gave a special time to meet the students and answer various questions they had. His Beatitude spoke about how the attitude of the student who plans to join a School of Theology ought to be. He made it clear that this prospective student needs to clarify his objectives of coming to Balamand, before beginning to apply. The student needs to clarify his objectives and be sure of his real intentions. Otherwise he will face many personal difficulties as a servant of God. Serving the Church, as His Beatitude states, is an essential mission in Christianity. One needs to have a mind and heart of self-giving and thankfulness. If one thinks he is here to benefit from the Church, this one has a wrong mindset. Many Church institutions would not existed unless there were people who gave all their lives selflessly in the service of "the other," the neighbor, or the fellow citizen. These institutions will not prosper unless they continue to be led by selfless people. Afterwards, His Beatitude answered many student questions pertaining to pastoral issues.
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