Notes About The Poem

This painting is from a small church in the ancient city of Byblos.

 

 

Marhaba

Ancient tombs, of long ago times
Byblos, the walled city, fortress and shrines
Shrouded in mystery, wisdom's, and thyme
The Phoenicians sailed from this very port
Their ships full of knowledge and the alphabet too

And the peoples from times long forgotten
The ancestors of merchants in the souks of now
The oldest city, charmed by the sea
The churches of St Peter, tell the prophecy

Praise the heavens, the God of your heart
In the language of Jesus, love never parts
Aramaic wisdom's, true to this day
Praise God, his love never swayed

Love of mankind
Love of your soul
Love of the creator
Marhaba

---
Marhaba is an Arabic  word  used in the Middle East   as “Hello”. 
But most people don’t know its source
Marhaba comes from a Syriac (Aramaic, Assyrian) origin and was used by the first Christians
Mar = Master or God
Haba =Love
Marhaba = God is love

As Catholic churches still give masses in Latin, The Maronite Church still gives sermons in the ancient language of Jesus, Aramaic.

Byblos is an ancient city in Lebanon, Byblos is the Greek name for the Phoenician city called Gebal. Today it is believed by many to be the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013


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Date: 3/7/2021 3:45:00 AM
Marhaba....this word is in our use!
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Date: 5/15/2016 6:01:00 PM
loved it to pieces :-)
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Date: 3/19/2015 6:47:00 PM
What a beautiful poem! I really enjoyed the reading. And thanks for sharing the source of the word "Marhaba" which is in addition to lots of Arabic words have an Aramaic root.
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 5/15/2016 5:59:00 PM
Thank you Fadi!
Date: 5/24/2014 1:23:00 AM
I love the story and historical context. Thanks for directing me to it. Good night Arthur.
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 5/15/2016 5:59:00 PM
Thanks Richard, and is I who took the photo!
Date: 6/2/2013 6:57:00 PM
Lovely write. My friend .....Seren
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Vaso Avatar
Arthur Vaso
Date: 5/15/2016 5:58:00 PM
Thank you my friend!
Date: 6/1/2013 10:08:00 PM
Wow.. you just added to my knowledge, Arthur. I didn't know the origin of the word. Thanks for enlightening me! Superb write. To my favs.
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Vaso Avatar
Arthur Vaso
Date: 6/1/2013 10:11:00 PM
Thank you so much, I was sure you would enjoy this one!!
Date: 6/1/2013 12:02:00 PM
Marhaba, my dear. Ahla wa Sahla! Welcome to Lebanon! What a beautiful tribute to this lovely city and one of my favorite spots in Lebanon....such exquisite beauty. :) If you are ever in these parts...look me up! :)
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