President Michel Sleiman and Premier Saad Hariri will lead a host of politicians, officials and clergy during Sunday’s celebrations to mark the beatification of Estephan Neameh in North Lebanon.The monastery of Mar Qobrianos and Justina in Kfifan, in Batroun, will host Sunday’s gathering, with the Maronite patriarch, Cardinal Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, to celebrate mass for the event.
On Saturday evening, a representative of Pope Benedict XVI will preside over the ceremony to open the resting-place of the monk to the public. The naturally-preserved body of Nehmeh (1889-1938) rests inside a glass coffin at the monastery in Kfifan.
The beatification ceremony of Father Nehme, for which Pope Benedict XVI gave the green light in December 2007, will begin on Sunday morning, with the mass celebrated by Sfeir, and be followed by a series of religious ceremonies and events throughout the day.
A range of strict traffic measures will also be in effect for the event, the Internal Security Forces (ISF) announced Friday.
Starting at 6 pm on Saturday, cars will not be allowed to park on the following roads and highways: Madfun, Tahum, Rashana, Smar Jbeil, Jerran, Kfifan, Batroun, Ejdabra, Abrin and Bijdarfil.
For people willing to participate in the celebration, the ISF said buses will be leaving Beirut from two parking lots opposite the City Star resort.
For those coming from the north, buses will be available at parking lots near the following locations: the Blue Bay resort, the Saint Estephan church, the Batroun Mosque, Khoury Supermarket, the Sainte Famille School, the Capuchins School and the Nader gasoline station.
Parking will also be available in Kfifan for officials participating at the celebration, but a personal invitation card will be required.
Buses can park at the Saint Joseph Convent, other vehicles can park in Derya and Bijdarfil Square, and members of the media may park at the IPT petrol station in Madfoun.
SIC: DS