On the fifth anniversary of the devastating explosion at the Port of Beirut, Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East led prayers for the victims of the disaster and extended heartfelt condolences to their families and all those affected. The prayer was released in a public statement by the press office of the Antiochian Patriarchate.

“Today, our hearts remember the catastrophe that shook Lebanon and the entire world,” the Patriarch said. “We pray to the Father of Lights to receive the souls of the departed into His glory and to comfort their families with divine love.”

The Patriarch paid special tribute to the firefighters, medical workers, and first responders who lost their lives while acting with courage on the day of the tragedy.

The explosion, caused by the detonation of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate improperly stored in the port, was one of the most powerful non-nuclear blasts in history. With an estimated force equivalent to 1,500 tons of TNT, the shockwave was felt across Beirut and even heard in Cyprus, over 250 kilometers away. More than 200 people were killed and thousands severely injured.

“We remember the Beirut fire brigade, the staff of Saint George Hospital, and all who gave their lives in service to others,” said the Patriarch. “We join in prayer, asking God to wipe away the tears from the eyes of their families — and from our own.”

In his message, the head of the Antiochian Church emphasized that faith and prayer remain vital sources of both comfort and hope for Lebanon’s future.

“Despite everything, we cling to the will to live — that power which will wipe away the tears of pain and return a smile to Lebanon tomorrow,” he said. He also invoked the intercession of the Virgin Mary, praying for mercy on the departed, healing for Lebanon, and consolation for the grieving.

The Patriarch’s words come amid renewed hopes for accountability in the ongoing investigation into the blast. According to TASS, investigative judge Tarek Bitar is preparing to issue formal charges and may refer the case to trial by the end of the year. Sources in the prosecutor’s office confirmed that Bitar has questioned key officials, including the former prime minister, interior minister, and senior security personnel.

Lebanon’s new government and President Joseph Aoun have expressed strong support for the investigation, stressing that justice is essential for restoring public trust in the nation’s institutions.