Institute of Theology

On the occasion of the feast of St. John of Damascus, the patron saint of the Institute of theology at the University f Balamand, the divine services were presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Ephrem of Tripoli, assisted by Archimandrite Isaac Barakat, the Abbot of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery. Different choirs participated in the services: the choir of the Alumni of the Institute of Theology, the choir of the Archdiocese of Homs, and the Institute of Theology choir.

Among the attendance were the Ambassadors of Greece and Romania, and the Council General of Russia in Lebanon,  in addition to the Deans of the University of Balamand and the participants in the St. John of Damascus Conference which was held in the monastery in the last three days.

His Eminence Metropolitan Ephrem delivered a homily about St. John of Damascus, his writings, liturgical compositions and theological synthesis. His Eminence emphasized on the style of the Damascene who brought together in his thought both the intellect and the heart. (Click here to listen to the Homily of His Eminence)

After the Divine Liturgy, the Balamand family was invited to have a meal together. In the evening, a choir recital was performed by the St. Romanos the Melodist (Archdiocese of Homs) Choir in the great Hall of the Monastery, which was packed by the faithful coming from different regions of Lebanon. During the feast, an Byzantine Icon Exhibition was also held at the Monastery.

 عيد القديس يوحنا الدمشقي في البلمند