The Lebanese-American community observed Good Friday, which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with prayers and a Lenten dinner on March 18.
Worshippers gathered at churches around the country to commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross. In Michigan, hundreds of Lebanese-Americans packed local churches for a traditional evening liturgy and dinner.
Close to 200 parishioners attended Our Lady of Redemption Melkite Catholic Church in Warren led by Rev. Michel Cheble.
At St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Warren, close to 1,000 people packed all corners of the church. An overflow room with a projector and screen was set up to accommodate for the large crowds.
“The church was packed with people from all over the state. This is a perfect lead-in to Easter Sunday and it signifies just how much this community continues to grow,” Maurice Farah, secretary of the Lebanese-American Club of Michigan said.
Farah is also a leader of the St. Laba Hasroun Society, which sponsored the Lenten dinner, which was catered by Ike’s Restaurant in Sterling Heights.
Bishop Robert Joseph Shaheen and Chorbishop Alfred Badawi led the Good Friday liturgy. Bishop Shaheen is visiting Michigan for a special Holy Week outreach trip.
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