On the 31st Week of Pentecost, January 11, after the Nativity of Christ, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zala El Dib (Lebanon). The service was performed by Archimandrite Philip (Vasiltsev), representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarchal See of Antioch, rector of the Russian Orthodox Church in Lebanon.
At the special litany, special petitions were offered, and the rector read a prayer for Holy Russia. After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, the glorification of the feast of the Nativity of Christ was celebrated.
Then Father Philip congratulated the permanent parishioners of the Metochion Irina Kanj, Nidal (Nina) Haddad, Konstantin Melnikov on memorable dates, presented them with memorable gifts and proclaimed many years.
After the service, a Christmas performance was held in the parish hall of the church, prepared by the students of the Istok Sunday School at the Courtyard. The performance was attended by Metropolitan Silouan of the Lebanese Mountains, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Lebanon A.N. Rudakov, and Archpriest Roman Joubran, rector of St. George Cathedral of the Metropolitan of Beirut, the website of the Representative Office of the Russian Orthodox Church in Beirut reports.
In his welcoming speech to the guests of the holiday, the Ambassador wished everyone present Merry Christmas. The diplomat handed over to the church icons of the Holy Apostles James Alpheyev and Thomas for the second row of the iconostasis.
After the end of the Christmas performance, a fraternal tea party was held.