The Icon of Hope: St. George, Beirut’s Patron, as a Symbol of Resilience and Justice

Martine Boutros
Lebanese Artist & Iconographer
Martine Icons | Vibrand Studio

The devastating Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020, left the city and its people with deep wounds. In a powerful gesture of solidarity, the Youth of the Justice and Peace Committee, a body under the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, presented an icon of St. George, the patron saint of Beirut, to His Beatitude and Eminence, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi.

[To His Beatitude and Eminence, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, the Youth of the Justice and Peace Committee present this blessed icon as a cry of solidarity with all the victims and their families of August 4th, and as a cry of prayer from a suffering nation and broken hearts, that God may heal the wounds that will not close without justice and hearts that will not be consoled until the dawn of peace breaks.]

The presentation of this icon is an act of faith, invoking St. George, the “valiant soldier and glorious martyr,” to intercede for the people of Beirut and support them in their struggle for life, peace, and justice.

The Icon’s Deeper Meaning: A Theological Reflection on Beirut

The icon itself is a rich tapestry of symbolism, skillfully explained by Father Nicolas Akiki. It is divided into three sections, each representing a different aspect of Beirut’s history, its current pain, and its hope for the future.

The Lower Section: The Sea of Death and the Seeds of Hope

The lower part of the icon depicts the sea of Beirut, a biblical symbol of death and the unknown. In this sea, a small boat—representing humanity—journeys toward salvation, filled with hope in the divine presence, even when it seems to be asleep. Here, a menacing dragon, a symbol of evil, breathes fire, seeking to destroy the city. The icon vividly portrays Beirut’s history of destruction, from natural disasters to wars, with seven layers representing the city’s many ages of suffering.

However, from the port’s destroyed grain silos, a new symbol of life emerges: wheat. This wheat, watered by the blood of the martyrs, tells the story of the grain of wheat that must fall to the earth and die to bear new fruit. It is a symbol of faith and resilience, a testament to a nation that will rise from the ashes to remain a “mountain of incense and perfume.”

Icon of Saint George, Patron of the City of Beirut
Dimensions: 40 x 70 cm

The Icon’s Deeper Meaning: A Theological Reflection on Beirut

The icon itself is a rich tapestry of symbolism, skillfully explained by Father Nicolas Akiki. It is divided into three sections, each representing a different aspect of Beirut’s history, its current pain, and its hope for the future.

The Lower Section: The Sea of Death and the Seeds of Hope

The lower part of the icon depicts the sea of Beirut, a biblical symbol of death and the unknown. In this sea, a small boat—representing humanity—journeys toward salvation, filled with hope in the divine presence, even when it seems to be asleep. Here, a menacing dragon, a symbol of evil, breathes fire, seeking to destroy the city. The icon vividly portrays Beirut’s history of destruction, from natural disasters to wars, with seven layers representing the city’s many ages of suffering.

However, from the port’s destroyed grain silos, a new symbol of life emerges: wheat. This wheat, watered by the blood of the martyrs, tells the story of the grain of wheat that must fall to the earth and die to bear new fruit. It is a symbol of faith and resilience, a testament to a nation that will rise from the ashes to remain a “mountain of incense and perfume.”

In essence, this icon of St. George is not merely a work of art but a powerful emblem of Beirut’s enduring spirit, a testament to its people’s unwavering faith and their persistent hope for justice and peace.

Lord Jesus, I pray for all who lost their lives or loved ones in the August 4th explosion. I pray for the triumph of justice and for all who are affected spiritually, psychologically, physically, and materially, that they may receive sufficient support to obtain their right to live with dignity and peace. And just as You healed the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda, who was a victim for 38 years (John 5:5), and made him responsible for his life, teach me to bear responsibility for my life and the lives of others. I ask You, through the intercession of St. George, who triumphed over the dragon of injustice with the spear of faith, to free me from fear and despair. Arm me with hope and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so I may advocate for and act with justice, and preach and act with love, for it is the will of the Father. Grant me, O You who chose the cross for my sake and for all of us, to fight injustice and reject the temptations of corruption, no matter the cost, so that I may remain steadfast in You, even to the cross, Amen.