DARDGHAYA, Lebanon (AP) — In the ruins of the St. George Melkite Catholic Church in southern Lebanon, a Christmas tree stands as a symbol of resilience among the debris. Once a lively hub for the community, this 18th-century church now lies in ruins following an Israeli airstrike in October, which resulted in significant damage to the area.
As the holiday season approached, Georges Elia, a 40-year-old municipal worker and devoted churchgoer, felt compelled to inject a sense of normalcy and hope into the community amidst the backdrop of a precarious ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
“This year, Christmas brings sadness for us, but we wanted to ensure it wasn’t a sorrowful occasion for the residents and our church,” Elia remarked. “So we decided to put up a tree, modest and simple as it may be.”
The tree, shorter than Elia himself, had only a modest garland and a star placed on top. Crystal chandeliers, remarkably intact, hung above the ravaged pews, while paper images of Santa Claus lay scattered among the rubble.
Unfortunately, the tree was without lights, as power lines were destroyed in the conflict, and a traditional Nativity scene was also absent due to the uneven ground that made it too unstable. Yet, Elia encapsulated the spirit of the season, saying, “But Christ is definitely born in our hearts, illuminated by our love for Him.”
The destruction of the church occurred amidst heavy bombardments by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, escalating what had previously been characterized as a low-intensity conflict into full-scale war. Hezbollah claimed to have attacked in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, while Israel aimed to secure its borders for the safe return of its citizens.
Elia and his family, like many others, were forced to evacuate their homes following orders on September 23, joining hundreds of thousands displaced throughout Lebanon. The church serves a community of about 30 families and has faced damage from Israeli strikes multiple times over the years.
“During the Israeli invasion of 1978, we lost the western wall of the church. In 1992, Israeli airstrikes hit the residential areas,” recounted Father Maurice el Khoury, the church’s priest for the past 11 years.
Upon returning weeks later, Elia was shocked by the extent of the destruction, saying, “The photos didn’t truly convey how bad it is.” The priest also described the devastating moment he saw the church’s ruin. “My blood pressure shot up, and I lost my balance, needing to steady myself against the wall. I could hardly comprehend the sight before me,” he shared.
Economically, the damage has been staggering, with Father El Khoury estimating restoration costs to be nearly $3 million. This destruction is just one part of the broader devastation caused by the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. The World Bank has reported that nearly 100,000 homes across Lebanon have been either partially or completely destroyed during the 14-month war, with total damages estimated to reach $3.2 billion.
In the wake of the church’s destruction, Father El Khoury has been conducting Sunday Mass in a small underground room that was once reserved for visiting clergy. Despite being damaged, this space was repaired for temporary worship, with the priest relying on the light from a mobile phone to read the service.
During one Mass, he reminded the families of the true spirit of the holiday season: “This room is reminiscent of the cave where Jesus was born. We are the embodiment of Christ’s birth in our reality.” Despite the circumstances, the priest emphasized that the community’s faith remains unwavering: “For this upcoming Christmas, we will hold Mass here.”
