Maronite History

     Early Christianity in the region focused in and around the city of Antioch. The conversion of Antioch was carried out by the disciples of Jesus and the faith of its inhabitants was further strengthened by the work of the apostles Paul and Barnabas. The church of Antioch itself was founded by Saint Peter who was bishop there before moving on to Rome, and it was in this church where the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians. Along with Alexandria in Egypt and Constantinople, Antioch was one of the most important spiritual centres of the east. It outranked the others in biblical scholarship. Two factors, however, led to the gradual decay of the church of Antioch: its political position as a buffer state between the Byzantine Empire and its antagonistic powers; and its ecclesiastical division by schisms and heresies

     One of the most serious divisions of the early church was a result of a conflict over the nature of the divinity and humanity of Christ himself. It was maintained by the Monophysites that in the person of Christ there was but one nature which was primarily divine but had human attributes. A second school of thought held that in Christ there was both a divine nature and a human nature and that these were perfectly united

     A certain monk probably wishing not be distracted by the divisions of the early church retreated to the wilderness of the mountains not far from Antioch where he could completely dedicate himself to God. This hermit's name was Maroun in Syriac and Maron in Greek. Saint Maroun found however, that his true vocation lay in the preaching of the word of God and he began to attract people from far and near who were drawn by his godliness and wisdom and who desired to live under his spiritual guidance. As his disciples increased in number, they began to be called Maronites after their teacher

     Maron's life was one of piety and dedication to the simple life of prayer and meditation; his holiness attracted many to join him and to convert others to Christianity through the spreading of the Gospel. St. John Maron, the first Patriarch of the Maronite people. The Maronite Patriarchate was initiated by the election of John Maron in 686 AD and has continued, to the present

     Late in the seventh century, due to religious persecution and heresy, the Maronite monks became obliged to seek refuge in Lebanon, where St. Maron's relics were transferred to the Patriarchal residence in Kafarhai. In the year 1130, they were removed to Foligno, Italy, and placed in the Cathedral there. In January, 2000, the relics were returned to Lebanon.

The Maronite tradition was brought to the United States in the early 1900's with the immigration of many Maronites from Lebanon. A hierarchy was established for the Maronites of the USA in 1965, and in 1972 the Diocese of St. Maron was established with the See in Detroit, Michigan. The first Bishop was Archbishop Francis M. Zayek. In 1994, the Diocese (Eparchy) of Our Lady of Lebanon was established with its See in Los Angeles. There are over 54 Maronite parishes and several missions in the United States.

for more information please Visit:
http://www.stelias.org/maronite_hist.htm
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Parliament/2587/maronite.html

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