The Vine and the Branches

This is a portrayal of the trials of a Maronite Christian family from Lebanon. In the mid 1800's after a bloody battle between Christians and radical Moslems, a family sends their eldest son, Mohanna, away to escape periodic massacres and persecutions. Their son Mohanna on his hazardous voyage to America meets a young Christian girl from Damascus and later marries her. In spite of being illiterate he sells merchandise from a cart until his feet are too bloody to continue. Mohanna dies and his wife is betrayed by her family, losing her home and store. The eldest son Elias Mohanna Karam and his mother recover and prosper. One of Mohannas grandchildren Mark Karam, after a full and exciting youth, becomes prosperous only to lose everything. He rebounds and becomes a well-known businessman and community leader. After September 11th, 2001 a friend confronts Mark about his future. He passes the torch to his sons to carry on.