On March 25, during the blessed Feast of Annunciation, Christians and their Muslim brothers in Lebanon will commemorate the auspicious character of the Honorable Mary mother of Jesus, the Messiah (peace be upon them both).
The Feast of Annuciation had been held in Lebanon for the past three years, guided by the Jesuits under the theme “Together around Our Lady Mary “, along with participating foreign delegations, including representatives from the world renowned Islamic university, Al-Azhar in Egypt.
In a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri held at the Vatican last month, The Feast of Annuciation was declared a Lebanese national holiday.”
In a brief statement released after the meeting, the Vatican noted the “exemplary coexistence of the various religious communities” in Lebanon in past years, and said that continued inter-faith harmony should be a model for the Middle East.
Similar ceremonies to the Feast of Annunciation -which celebrates the announcement of Angel Gabriel to the Chaste Mary mother of Jesus, regarding the miraculous birth- is to be held in six other countries where Christians reside alongside their Muslim brothers, namely Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Poland, Italy and France. Both the Holy Quran and Holy Bible attest to the virtue and righteous unblemished character of Mary the Chaste Mother of Jesus:
“Behold! The angels said, ‘Oh Mary! God has chosen you and purified you, chosen you above the women of all nations. Oh Mary! Worship your Lord devoutly. Prostrate yourself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down’ ” -Holy Quran Sura Ali-Imran: 42-43
“(The angel) said: I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son” -Holy Quran Sura Maryam: 19
“Grace unto you. Oh favored one, you are endued with grace. The Lord is with you.”
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” -Holy Bible Luke: 28, 30-31
