Antonine University (UA) hosted an Eastern spiritual concert at the heart of the Holy Week, under the title of “He Has Taken Our Infirmities,” (Isaiah 53:4), by the Antonine University Choir at Saint Joseph School – Aintoura, bringing together a large audience that included public figures, former ministers, artists, journalists, and members of the wider community. Conducted by the Maestro Toufic Maatouk, OAM; the evening unfolded as a moment of prayer and reflection, offering a shared space of contemplation at a time when Lebanon continues to endure profound hardship.

Inspired by the words of the Prophet Isaiah, the concert invited attendees to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s Passion through a carefully curated musical and narrative journey. In a context marked by uncertainty and collective strain, the theme resonated deeply, echoing the lived experience of a community seeking meaning, strength, and hope.

The program brought together sacred hymns from the Antonine Maronite tradition, featuring music and arrangements by Fathers Boulos Al Achqar, Joseph Waked, Albert Cherfane, and Fady Taouk, also arrangements of Italian composer Alberto Maniaci and Charbel Abi Nader. These were interwoven with solo performances by Cesar Naasy, Grace Medawar, and Mira Akiki, adding a distinct expressive depth to the musical journey and creating a dialogue between heritage, faith, and artistic expression.

The evening opened with a presentation by media personality Nisrine Zawahra, setting the tone for a contemplative experience that combined music and spoken word. She opened with a reflection on faith and hope, noting that even in times of trial, there remains in Lebanon a deep-rooted belief and a hope that rises beyond suffering, just as there is hope beyond Calvary. The Choir then performed a series of Lenten hymns, including O Holy Mother, Psalm 66 “May God Have Mercy on Us”, and Repent to the Lord, establishing an atmosphere of prayer and reverence.

Throughout the concert, moments of reflection were presented by various artists from all around Lebanon, representing the rich and diverse religious culture of the country.
Actor Youssef El Khal offered the first meditation, framing the evening within the depth and solemnity of Holy Week, and with a play on words between “Good Friday” and “Good gathering” to symbolize the weight of that moment and the importance of being united together. This was followed by a sequence of hymns including To You, O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul, O Assembly of the Beloved, and Vain Are the Sons of Adam.

Actor Ammar Chalak continued with a second meditation, reflecting on the meaning of coexistence and belonging, and the urgent need to remain united despite differences, reminding us that a nation only endures when its people choose, each day, to remain together. Then, the ensemble moved to Mary Arose, With My Voice I Cry to the Lord, and Psalm 22 “My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”.

Actress Anjo Rihane then delivered a moving reflection, presenting hope not as a passing feeling, but as a conscious decision to resist darkness, and describing resurrection as a daily act of rising again despite loss and fatigue; preceding performances of Christ the Savior, the Maronite hymn Let Us Contemplate His Faith, and the Litany of the Passion.

Actor Badih Abou Chakra offered the final meditation, emphasizing that in Lebanon today, the true victory lies in not losing one another, but in holding on and building together toward a more hopeful future; followed by the hymn O My Beloved, bringing the audience into a deeper moment of contemplation.

The evening concluded with a final reflection by Nisrine Zawahra, drawing a powerful parallel between the Cross and the present reality, evoking a nation suspended between suffering and promise, and affirming that hope is born through perseverance; accompanied by the closing hymns Litany of the Resurrection and Mubarak, leaving the audience in a spirit of quiet hope and renewal; adamant that suffering isn’t lasting, and that the resurrection of Lebanon is imminent.

More than a concert, this holy evening stood as a space where music, word, and faith converged; offering the audience a moment to pause, to pray, and to reflect on suffering, redemption, and the enduring possibility of hope.

In a time like this, moments like these simply matter more: bringing people together in prayer, in music, and in a shared search for peace.