St. Nimatullah Al-Hardini

Tuesday we drove to northern Lebanon to Kfifan. We visited the monastery there, which was the last home of Fr. Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini. One of the things he's remembered for, besides his faith and supposed miracles, is being a teacher of Charbel Makhlouf, now known as St. Charbel.

The monastery. It's a beautiful building and the views are incredible.


The chapel. As you can see it's still decorated for Christmas.


A closer view of the creche. You see creches all over Lebanon during the Christmas season. Every home has one under or near the tree, businesses, schools (religious or secular), public squares, roundabouts. And guess what?! Muslims are not offended by them! (Where does our country get that stupid idea anyway?)


Wax figures of Fr. Nimatullah teaching Charbel.


Fr. Nimatullah's tomb.

After our visit we stopped at a traditional Lebanese restaurant. I don't know how Lebanese can eat the way they do and not end up huge! You sit at the table, eating the mezzah (a never-ending supply of appetizers) for about 2 hours before you even get the main course...usually BBQ. Grilled chicken (called shish tawouk), grilled kafta, etc. Oh, my word! But at least I don't have to cook dinner and breakfast is light.