On the 11th of February 2007 at noon, His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholics received a group of young people which belong to the “Farah Al-Ataa” organization. This benevolent organization was found in 1985 by Dr. Melhem Khalaf and Sir Mouhammed Hamada and consists of 3000 members coming from all over Lebanon and from different religious sects. The basic aim of this organization is to help the Lebanese without any religious or sectarian discrimination for it is well known that the salvation of Lebanon lies only in the unity of its people and that diversity is a source of richness and therefore should not be a cause for dividing.

During the meeting, one of the members read the peace message in the name of the organization and offered His Beatitude Lebanon’s emblem of eternity, the cedar.

His Beatitude encouraged the patriotic spirit of the youth, emphasizing that the love of giving and devotion enriches and evaluates the human soul. He also appreciated their promptness to come out of the current Lebanese political disputes and tense atmosphere, to devote themselves completely for the welfare of their country.

At the end of this cordial encounter His Beatitude congratulated the members for their humanitarian and compassionate deeds wishing them success and further vigor in the pursuit of their work.