Lebanon Church Photos

My little tour of some of Lebanon's Churches

Name:
Location: Sydney

Friday, July 28, 2006

Happiness

We convince ourselves that life will be bettre once we are married, have a baby, then another.
Then we get frustrated because our children are not old enough and that all will be well when they are older.
Then we are frustrated because they reach adolescence and we must deal with them. Surely well be happier when they grow out of the teen years.

We tell ourselves our life will be better when our spouse gets his/her act together, when we have a nicer car, when we can take a vacation, when we finally retire.

The truth is that there is no better time to be happy than right now.

If not, then when?

Your life will always be full of challenges. It is better to admit as much and to decide to be happy inspite of it all.

There isnt any road to happiness.

Happiness IS the road.
So, enjoy every moment.

Stop waiting for school to end, for a return to school, to lose ten pounds, to gain ten pounds, for work to begin, to get married, for Friday evening, for Sunday morning, waiting for a new car, for your mortgage to be paid off, for spring, for summer, for autumn, for winter, for the first or the fifteenth of the month, for your song to be played on the radio, to die, to be reborn...before deciding to be happy.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Sunset Over Harissa


You can see the port of Jounieh below.

Sunset Over Harissa















Out of all the photos and videos Ive seen of
sunsets throughout my life, This was without doubt to most amazingly spectacular beautiful and holy sunsets I have ever seen.

This was taken on a late balmy evening in Harissa. All the elements just combined perfectly for about 5 minutes to give us this Amazing view.

The photos here, in no way do justice to the breathtaking scene that was there before us.

The Lady decided to welcome me after 18 years away with this stunning display over the mediterranean.

Our Lady and the Basilica

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Death of the Cedar

Like Christ, it is being crucified for other peoples inequities...

Like Christ, Lebanon will rise again.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Entrance to Our Lady















Visitors to Our Lady who have their shoulders exposed are given a light blue apron that goes over their shoulders. You will notice those blue aprons at the front gates.

If you look closely to the left hand side of the photo, you will see the entrance of the Telefrique or the Cable Cars. This will take you down to Jounieh and from Jounieh will bring you upt to Harissa.

A most memorable ride and one not to be missed.

Baroque Cedar Tree

One of the many Baroque Cedar Trees surrounding the base of The Lady

Our Lady of Lebanon


I remember as a kid, I used to love running up and down the steps of the tower. All 104 of them.
It was quite a special moment when i did it again 18 years later.

Front of Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica



















The Basilica can seat four thousand believers who can sit and admire the statue of the Virgin through a glass front of 20 meters with 42 meters height.

Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon

Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica

Statue of Our lady of Lebanon

Our Lady of Lebanon at Night

Our Lady of Lebanon

Our lady of Lebanon Basilica


Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica was built during the 1970's in the style of a Cedar tree and a Phoenician ship.

Notre Dame du Liban Harrisa















The statue of The Virgin Mary is a 20 tonne 15m tall bronze statue built in the 19th century and stood with outstretched hands ever since overlooking the bay of Jounieh

The Statue was made in Lyon - France and brought to Lebanon and installed in 1908.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Cedars of Lebanon


With all the destruction Lebanons experiancing all over again, I felt i needed to post something Uniquely Lebanese. Something thats solid, thats strong and Everlasting. Something that is Lebanon itself.

For as long as the Cedars Stand, Lebanon will Stand.

This is truely Gods favourite Garden.

Statue of St Charbel


Not sure the exact height of this massive statue, But its somewhere in the order of 5 meters.

Its located outside the main church next to Saint Charbel's House, Back facing the Qadisha Valley.

Jesus at the Last Super

Statues of the Apostles

Family Scene from the early life of Saint Charbel















This is a scene from the early life of the Saint.
His Father and brother Bchara and a young St Charbel praying in the background.

Mini Museum next St Charbels House















This is a mini musem in the room behind St Charbel house.

It contains drawn pictures of the Saint sent in by people from across the world. Also contain Photos of his Mother and Dad.

Also contain items such as walking sticks and instruments that used to aid people with physical dissabilities who have been cured by the Saint.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

View of Bekaa Kafra from Bcharre















This is the view of Bekaa Kafra from Bcharre.
Bekaa Kafra, the birth place of Saint Charbel, is the highest village in Lebanon at 1560m.

View of Bcharre from Bekaa Kafra
















This is the view of Bcharre from the church of Saint Charbel. The two are on opposite sides of the Qadisha Valley. Which is also known as the Holy Valley. Bcharre is also the birth place of the great lebanese writer, poet and painter Gibran Khalil Gibran.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Inside the Family House of Saint Charbel















This is the inside of the Family House of the Saint. Made of Stone and Mud. It is now a little Church.

Entrance of the House of Saint Charbel


This is the Family house of Saint Charbel

Sign Leading to the house of St Charbel


Sign reads: The Entrance to the House of the Saint Charbel

Stairs Leading up to the House of Saint Charbel

Shrine of St Charbel Bekaa Kafra


The Shrine of St Charbel in Bekaa Kafra, his village, just opposite the stairs leading upto his families house.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Candles at Saint Charbel Anaya


Candles at Our Lady of the Star Jieh

Candles at Saint Antonios Qozhaya

Candles at Our Lady of Lebanon Harrisa

Candles at St Rafqa




"If you're hurt by someone, you can forget the wound.

But if you hurt him, you will always remember..."

Khalil Gibran

Test

The Virgin Cardiotissa 1400 - 50
Byzantine Art
Angelos Akoantos




I must admit Ive never liked Byzantine style art.
It just seemed to simple and too flat for me.

But after getting close and personal with this photo, digitally removing scratch and scuff marks and enhacing it, it started the grow on me.

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