Posted August 19, 2020

Members of St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church in South Philadelphia gathered Aug. 10 to honor the victims of a deadly Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut, which killed some 170, wounded more than 6,000 and left an estimated 300,000 homeless.

(Related: Read our feature article on the memorial service and find out how you can donate to St. Maron’s campaign to assist victims of the blast.)

Tears mingled with prayers for justice, healing and a restoration of the land St. John Paul II called “a message of freedom and an example of pluralism for both East and West.”

(All photos by Gina Christian)

  • Parishioners of St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church gathered for an Aug. 10 outdoor memorial for victims of the Beirut blast, bearing roses and candles.

  • Pictures of the Aug. 4 Beirut explosion victims were displayed at an Aug. 10 memorial service orgnazed by St. Maron Maronite Church in South Philadelphia.

  • An altar with votive candles and flowers formed the focal point of the memorial service.

  • A man lights a votive candle at an Aug. 10 memorial for victims of an Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut.

  • A parishioner of St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church in South Philadelphia reflects during the Aug. 10 memorial for victims of the Aug. 4 Beirut blast.

  • A St. Maron parishioner, wearing a face mask with the flag of Lebanon, attends that church’s Aug. 10 memorial for victims of the Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut.

  • Names of the blast’s victims were displayed behind the outdoor memorial altar.

  • A woman weeps during the Aug. 10 memorial for victims of the Aug. 4 blast in Beirut.

  • Maronite Father David Fisher shares a reflection at the Aug. 10 memorial while fellow Maronite Father Samir Chebli, pastor of St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church, bows his head in prayer.

  • A man lights a candle outside of St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church in South Philadelphia. The parish held an Aug. 10 outdoor memorial for victims of an Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed some 170 and wounded at least 6,000. (Photo by Gina Christian)