JESUS THE KING LAUNCHES THE VALENTINE ANNUAL PARTY
After ten years of repeated celebrations, the spirit and message of love associated with St. Valentine triumphed in 2026. St. Valentine, a Roman priest of the third century, is remembered for performing secret marriages for young soldiers despite the prohibition of the emperor—a legacy that continues to inspire celebrations of love and unity today.
Sincere gratitude to Valentine Chairman Brother John Gideon of Jesus the King Council for his outstanding leadership and dedication in organizing this cherished annual event for over a decade. This year’s celebration was held at Lara Lebanese Restaurant and proved to be a remarkable success.
The Valentine party serves as a vital fundraising initiative for the Council, supporting its activities while also contributing to Jesus the King Melkite Catholic Church. The event welcomed 180 guests, reflecting strong community support and enthusiasm.
Guests enjoyed an exceptional culinary experience featuring a rich selection of Lebanese mezze appetizers, including hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, falafel, tabbouleh, fried kibbeh, and fattoush. These were followed by a delicious main course of chicken, & kofta, served with garlic sauce and fries, and concluded with delightful Lebanese pastries such as shaabiyat filled with kashta cream.
The in-house friendly raffle added excitement to the evening, with nearly every table winning a prize. We are grateful to the generous businesses that contributed prizes and continue to support our community, including ADONIS fine food, The Travel Desk, Amici restaurant, El Gourmet, Rami Beauty Salon, MedSkincare, Satchi Hair Studio, and John Gideon Real Estate.
Special thanks to the Valentine party team for their efforts in promoting and organizing the event, including Maya, Mary, Brother Shadi, and Sir Knight Jony who also donated Silver Coins to boost the in house raffle. We also acknowledge the contributions of Church Council Chairman Elie Moussaed, Grand Knight Zuhair, Subdeacon Samir, Brother Shadi, and Sister Jacky for their generous support of the raffle.
Great appreciation to the Master of Ceremonies Ms. Khaouli for her professionalism and energy throughout the evening, and let's not forget the beautiful decor and art work done by Ms. Diana Safadi. A talented singer provided four hours of continuous entertainment, keeping the atmosphere lively as guests enjoyed dancing the traditional feet stomping dabke.
Our Worthy Chaplain, Monsignor Makarios, shared St. Valentine’s blessings of love with all in attendance. All Knights are invited to join us next year for another memorable Valentine Knight—an evening that will surely leave a lasting impression of Valentine’s spirit. For more information, contact Brother Hikmat www.christianrefugeerelief.org or email [email protected].