Armenian Evangelical Worship Service back in the Mountainous El-Matn Region

The tiny chapel of the Arab Evangelical Church in El-Mrouj (the village that comes after Bois de Bologne) was full to capacity on Sunday, 19th of July 2009. People had come from El-Mrouj itself and the surrounding villages to re-start the worship services, which used to be held during the pre-civil disturbances of 1975. Some members of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora, Beirut, who live in El-Mrouj during summertime, saw the need of these worship services and a plan for the summer of 2009 was organized by their home church.



The worshippers, around 60 people, enjoyed the warm and joyful atmosphere, as old acquaintances were renewed and new ones made after the service, around a modest reception.

The preacher, Rev. Hovhannes Svajian, the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora, had chosen an appropriate topic: the importance of worship. Hymns were accompanied on piano by Mrs. Houry Ghazarian (of Damascus, Syria), while the worship was led by Miss. Ani Baboghlanian of the Emmanuel Church.

So, the services are held on Sunday mornings, at 10:30a.m. and will continue till the end of September 2009, when those in the mountains for the summertime return to Beirut and their winter life.

A heartfelt word of thanks go to the Board of the Arab Evangelical Church in El-Mrouj, who were more than ready to share their chapel and facilities with the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora.

V.