Bay leaves and candlelight mark Holy Saturday in Marjaayoun, South Lebanon

Despite Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement and ongoing aggression, Catholic and Orthodox churches in Marjaayoun and along Lebanon’s southern border commemorated Holy Saturday with Easter Vigil Masses, candlelight processions, and the symbolic sprinkling of bay leaves. At Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Metropolitan Georges Haddad led the liturgy alongside Father Milad Kallas and the parish choir, blessing worshippers with bay leaves as a sign of Christ’s triumph over death. In his sermon, Haddad reflected on the meaning of the Resurrection, urging believers to embrace repentance, love, and the teachings of Christ.