On Tuesday April 4, 2013, under the High Patronage of the Patriarch of Antioch and the Entire East, His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rai, the Institute of Liturgy at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) inaugurated its second liturgical symposium, in the USEK Conference Hall, entitled “Patriarch Estephan Douaihy and the Liturgy”.

The session took place in the presence of the representative of Patriarch Al Rai, the Patriarchal Vicar for the diocese of Sarba, Bishop Paul Rouhana, Archbishop of Cyprus and Head of the Patriarchal Commission for Liturgical Affairs, Archbishop Joseph Soueif, the Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Fr. Abbot Tannous Nehme, the Assistant Generals of the Order, the President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz and the Director of the Institute of Liturgy, Rev. Fr. Abdo Badwi; along with numerous monks, nuns, professors and former Director Generals.

Following the Lebanese National Anthem and the welcome speech by Rev. Fr. Hani Mattar, the Director of the Institute of Liturgy, Rev. Fr. Abdo Badwi welcomed the audience and stated that “Patriarch Douaihy is a great genius who became a landmark in the modern Maronite history in the fields of history, liturgy, arts, music, drawing and construction…”

Then, the President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, stated that the Institute of Liturgy had been established following the liturgical recommendation of the Second Vatican Council, which was then the hub of many studies and publications in the field. He added that “…this Institute is one of the characteristics of the University which the latter aims to preserve and improve…Despite the fact that USEK embraced modernity, technology and globalization in its programs, infrastructure, administrative methods, aspirations and relations, it still gives a great importance to the sciences that made it special and to its Oriental heritage in general and Maronite heritage in particular.”

Finally, Bishop Paul Rouhana took the floor and indicated that the patronage of Patriarch Al Rai proved “…his appreciation of what has been done and what is being done in the Institute of Liturgy, which organized this conference…this patronage also pays tribute to a prominent Maronite figure: Patriarch Estephan Douaihy, the liturgical Patriarch in excellence…” Bishop Rouhana wished all full success for the conference and conveyed the blessings of the Patron of this conference, wishing our Maronite church and this Institute progress and prosperity.

Afterwards, Rev. Abbot Youhanna Tabet gave a lecture on Marionite melodies, Archbishop Joseph Soueif on Patriarch Douaihy and the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Youssef Tannous on Patriarch Douaihy the preserver of the Maronite liturgical melodies. Rev. Fr. Khalil El Hayek talked about Patriarch Douaihy and liturgical music, Sister Moubaraka about the liturgy of the Holy Trinity, Rev. Fr. Najm Chehwan about Patriarch Douaihy and clerical ordinations. The first day was concluded with a lecture by Rev. Fr. Abdo Badwi on iconography and church architecture related to Patriarch Douaihy.