# Maronite Patriarch religious visit to Greece > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maronite-patriarch-religious-visit-to-greece > Updated: 2026-10-17T20:20:21.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai conducted a religious visit to Greece, beginning with a trip to Mount Athos. During his time at the Holy Mountain, the Patriarch met with monastic leaders, including Abbot Elisha of Simonopetra Monastery, to discuss ecumenical relations and global challenges facing families and youth. While noting the spiritual depth of Mount Athos, al-Rai contrasted its development with the depopulation of Lebanon’s Holy Valley of Qadisha, which he attributed to migration and a lack of state responsibility. Following his visit to Mount Athos, the Patriarch traveled to Athens to meet with Archbishop Ieronymos. During this meeting, Archbishop Ieronymos expressed solidarity with Lebanon and the Middle East, asserting that ‘Christians of the East are not strangers to the societies in which they live, nor are they temporary guests in their ancestral homes.’ Patriarch al-Rai expressed gratitude for this support, stating that the message of solidarity provides courage for the Maronite mission in the region. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-17: Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Raï meets Archbishop Ieronymos Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Raï met with Archbishop Ieronymos of Greece to discuss solidarity with Lebanon and the role of Christian communities in the Middle East. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maronite-patriarch-bechara-boutros-ra-meets-archbishop-ieronymos ### 2026-10-17: Maronite Patriarch Rai concludes religious visit to Mount Athos Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai completed a religious visit to Mount Athos, Greece, discussing ecumenical cooperation and comparing its thriving heritage to the struggling Holy Valley of Qadisha in Lebanon. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maronite-patriarch-rai-concludes-religious-visit-to-mount-athos --- Cite as: Maronite Patriarch religious visit to Greece. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maronite-patriarch-religious-visit-to-greece