Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi visited the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” in the Lebanese city of Zahle on September 22.

The visit took place at the invitation of Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, representative of the Antiochian Orthodox Church to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, according to the website of the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Damascus.

The patriarch was welcomed at the church by Metropolitan Niphon, Metropolitan Antonios of Zahle and Baalbek, local officials and Archimandrite Philip Vasiltsev, representative of the Patriarch of Moscow to the Antiochian See.

During the visit, Metropolitan Niphon briefed Patriarch al-Rahi on the history of the church’s construction and the sacred objects housed there. The meeting concluded with a fraternal meal.

The Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” was built in a Russian architectural style on the initiative of Metropolitan Niphon, who was born in Zahle. The cornerstone was laid in September 2019 by Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East.

Construction continued from 2019 to 2024 with financial support from Russian church and charitable organizations, as well as private donors.

The church was solemnly consecrated on May 18, 2025. Hierarchs of the Russian and Antiochian Orthodox Churches took part in the service, including Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations.

The church is the fourth Orthodox church in Zahle. The city is predominantly Christian, although most of its churches belong to Eastern Catholic communities.

The church’s principal sacred object is the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy,” to which the building is dedicated. The icon is associated with a story about a repentant sinner recorded by Saint Demetrius of Rostov in his 17th-century work The Dew-Wet Fleece.

According to tradition, after the Virgin Mary and Christ appeared to the man, he abandoned his sinful life. The forgiveness he received became, for him, an “unexpected joy.”

A memorial museum of Orthodox culture also operates at the church. Its creation was included in the original design, with plans to display Russian Orthodox icons, liturgical vessels and elements of episcopal vestments.

The museum was consecrated together with the church in May 2025 and has since been visited by representatives of the Russian and Antiochian Orthodox Churches.