The Cup of Faithfulness
The leader takes bread, breaks it, dips the first piece in salt water and eats it, saying:
Take the Lahmo, break it, and dip the first piece in salt water, and eat it. Remember the tears our
ancestors shed when they abandoned their lands.
Then he takes the second piece and wraps it in a cloth, saying:
Wrap the second piece of Lahmo and set it aside. Remember Bet Moroon, which was destroyed for the
sake of Faith.
All pray Psalm 79:
O God, the nations have invaded your heritage; they have defiled your holy temple,
have laid [Bet Moroon] in ruins. They have left the corpses of your servants as food
for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of your faithful for the beasts of the earth.
They have spilled their blood like water all around the [monastery],
and no one is left to bury them. We have become the reproach of our neighbors,
the scorn and derision of those around us. How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever?
Will your rage keep burning like fire? Do not hold past iniquities against us;
may your compassion come quickly, for we have been brought very low.
Help us, God our savior, for the glory of your name. Deliver us; pardon our sins for your name's sake.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The leader takes the cup of wine, saying:
Take the cup of wine and drink from it. This is the cup of Faithfulness. Remember the martyrs whose
blood shed for the sake of Faith.
Soldiers of Christ
After they drink, he says:
The LORD Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”[17] “In the world you will
have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”[18] Pope Hormizdes described the
Maronites as the soldiers of Christ and members of His Living Body.[19] So be like your ancestors,
faithful to the Church and her teaching, soldiers of Christ, and members of His Living Body.
The woman kisses the Holy Bible and passes it to all, saying:
This is the Holy Bible. Strengthen your Faith with the Word of God given to us. Do whatever He tells you.
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