In the annual tradition of the Pastoral Community at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) to organize local tourism trips that entail discovering and enjoying new places in Lebanon together, as a way to start a new and memorable academic year, Akoura was this year’s choice destination. Akoura boasts many beautiful churches and expansive vistas.
A morning Mass was celebrated in the Church of St. Gerges to bless the trip. Pastoral Community members began the day with a hike, starting from the St. Takla water spring and visiting several churches, including the churches of St. Paul and Peter, and St. Semman al-Amoudi, and ending at the mouth of an old cave.
During the hike, the members praised the Lord through prayers and singing of hymns whenever they stopped to visit a church. They also held several deep discussions, covering different religious and everyday topics that could serve to bring us closer to God. A lunch at an impressive monastery followed the hike. To end the day, they headed to Annaya to pray to St. Charbel