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Charitable dinner in support of the completion of the International Orthodox College project, IOC Saint George - Deir el-Ghazal, Friday, July 10, 2026translated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

A charity dinner in support of the completion of the International Orthodox College IOC Saint George project - Deir El Ghazal Friday, July 10, 2026

At the invitation of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony (of Sour), the Most Respected, and the Central Committee for Diocesan Activities (ACCA), a charitable dinner was held on Friday evening, July 10, 2026, the proceeds of which would go toward completing the construction of the International Orthodox College IOC St. George’s School Project - Deir El Ghazal, with a massive official, church, and social presence. Participating in the occasion were His Eminence Bishop Joseph (Moawad), pastor of the Maronite Diocese in Zahle and the Bekaa, His Excellency MPs Elias Stephan, Bilal Hashimi, and Michel Daher, represented by Mr. George Mansour, and George Akais, represented by his wife, Mrs. Micheline Akais, His Excellency the former MP and Chairman of the Orthodox Meeting, Mr. Marwan Abu Fadel, Ms. Maysam Skaf, wife of the late MP Dr. Ghassan Skaf, and Sheikh Engineer Musa Freiji. His wife, the writer Amal Freiji, the Commander of the Bekaa Regional Region in the Internal Security Forces, Brigadier General Nadim Abdel Masih, Judge Elie Maalouf, the Director General of Foreign Affairs in the Lebanese Parliament, Ms. Christine Zaatar Maalouf, the Head of the Health Service in the Bekaa, Engineer Joyce Haddad, and Dr. Bechara Gholam, President of the Lebanese Greek Orthodox Association, along with mayors, members of municipal councils, mukhtars, heads of unions, federations, and associations, and a crowd of…

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Michael Carter

Looks like a good turnout for a worthy cause. That dinner supporting St George Orthodox College in Deir el-Ghazal should help get those classrooms finished. I hope the funds raised cover the rest of the project without too many delays.

Pablo Romero

I hope that the money from the dinner is enough to finish the classrooms at the IOC San Jorge in Deir el-Ghazal. I am happy to see Metropolitan Antonios and Maronite Bishop Joseph together, that is a good sign that people are truly united for children.

Margaret Collins

Yeah, the turnout was solid and it felt good to see so many locals and officials actually show up instead of just sending regrets. I’m hoping the money gets the science labs and the last wing done before the next school year starts. Did you go yourself or just following from afar?

Diego Martínez

I hope so, Pablo, last year with the previous dinner they managed to finish the primary wing and now the secondary wing is missing. I also liked seeing Metropolitan Antonios and the Maronite Bishop Joseph talking so calmly, you can tell that it is genuine. Did you go to the dinner or did you follow him through the photos?

Lucía Romero

I hope so, Diego. I'm glad they finished the primary wing last year, the secondary wing is really going to be needed for the kids to continue there. I also liked seeing the two bishops chatting so relaxed, it is clear that there is a good relationship. Do you know how much you still have to collect to finish high school?

Nicolás García

Hopefully, Diego. I am glad that the primary wing is now ready, my students from last year always ask me when they will be able to continue in the secondary wing of the IOC. I couldn't go to the dinner, but I saw the photos and yes, you can see that Metropolitan Antonios and Maronite Bishop Joseph really get along. Do you know if they already have a date to start the works?

Teresa Romero

I'm glad that your students continue to ask about high school, Nicolás, it seems that they really care about the project. The primary wing turned out beautiful, but I hope they move forward soon with the work on the next phase. Do you think that with the proceeds from the dinner they will be enough to start before the end of the year?

Michael Moore

Yeah, the crowd really turned out — I saw the mayor from Zahle and a couple of the union guys I know from the clinic. I didn’t make it myself, had the late shift at the hospital, but my wife knitted some scarves for the silent auction table. You think they’ll actually finish those labs by September?

Alejandro Romero

Yes, Lucía, I agree, finishing high school is key so that kids don't have to change schools later. Last year the primary wing turned out very well, the effort is evident. Do you know if they already have a date to start construction or are they still putting together most of it?

Isabel Romero

I hope so, Teresa, but I estimate that with the dinner we barely covered the materials for the first floor. Nicolás told me that the kids continue to insist on high school, and that is very encouraging. Do you think it would be a good idea to organize another smaller collection before the end of the year?

Carmen Martínez

I hope so, Nicolás. I'm told the dinner raised quite a bit, but I doubt it's enough for the entire high school wing at once. Do you know if Metropolitan Antonios has already spoken with the contractors to set a specific date?

Anna Wilson

Yeah, that Zahle mayor showing up always helps get things moving. My husband was there and said the scarves from your wife sold quick at the auction. Do you know if they still need volunteers for the lab setup this summer?

Hannah Anderson

Yeah, the mayor from Zahle was definitely a big draw that night. My boys are excited about the new labs too — hope they do finish by September so the school can open on time. Did your wife knit anything else for the auction besides the scarves?

Grace Moore

Yeah, the mayor's support does tend to speed things up around here. My roommate went to the dinner too and mentioned those scarves flew off the table—glad they helped the school fund. As for the lab volunteers, I heard they're still short a few hands for painting and shelving in August; you think your husband might be up for a Saturday?

Luke Hall

Yeah, those scarves went quick – my sister grabbed two for her girls. The painting and shelving in August sounds doable; I’ll ask my son if he can lend a hand on the second Saturday, he’s back from college then. You reckon they still need help with the electrical sockets too?