Today, Maronites in Lebanon and across the diaspora celebrate the feast of Saint Maroun, the father and founder of our Church and our revered patron. This sacred and joyous occasion embodies the essence of over 1,600 years of faith, perseverance, and sacrifice—an unbroken legacy of devotion to truth and righteousness that defines our nation, people, and Syriac Eastern Church. On this day, we humbly offer our prayers, seeking to fortify the faith, resilience, and steadfastness of our people and clergy. Through the intercession of our father Maroun and Our Lady of Lebanon, the Virgin Mary, we beseech God to safeguard Lebanon, the Land of the Holy Cedars, from wars, conflicts, and unrest. May our homeland remain a beacon of love, tolerance, coexistence, freedom, democracy, equality, and fraternity.
Saint Maroun: A Legacy of Faith and Asceticism
Saint Maroun, the fourth-century ascetic who lived in the mountains of Cyrrhus, north of Antioch, remains deeply ingrained in our hearts, minds, and collective consciousness as his Maronite children. Today, we honor his memory not only in Lebanon—our spiritual and national center—but also across the world, wherever Maronite communities have flourished. Saint Maroun’s life was a testament to asceticism. He embraced simplicity, rejecting worldly indulgences in food, drink, and possessions. His journey was one of piety, humility, and self-sacrifice, walking the arduous path of all the righteous and saints. His devotion revolved around prayer, worship, contemplation, and ascetic discipline. Isolated from the material world, he lived under a simple hair-cloth tent, enduring both summer’s heat and winter’s chill. Pilgrims sought his prayers and blessings, yet he redirected their focus away from himself and toward God, the fountain of all goodness. This is the way of the righteous—they do not seek personal recognition but rather guide others to divine truth.
The Saint’s Enduring Influence
Saint Maroun’s piety and holiness spread far and wide, drawing admiration from figures such as Saint John Chrysostom, who, from exile, wrote to him: “The bonds of love and affection that connect me to you make me see you as if you were before me. Love transcends distance, and the passing years do not weaken it. I wish I could write to you more often, but the vast distances and scarcity of travelers make it difficult. Know that I never cease to remember you, for you hold a special place in my heart. Please write to me, as news of your well-being brings me immense joy, despite the hardships I endure. It comforts me in my exile and solitude and fills my soul with great happiness to know that you are in good health. Above all, my dearest request is that you pray for me.”
A Church Rooted in Mission and Identity Saint Maroun’s spirituality shaped our Maronite Church, which carries his name and flourished like wheat from a single grain. Ours is a church of faith, a cause, and a mission. For over 1,600 years, it has embraced its people, preserving the spirituality of its founder while upholding the unity and tradition of Antioch. Open to dialogue, it remains firmly anchored in its rich Syriac Eastern heritage and distinct identity.
A Call for Renewal and UnityIn these turbulent times, we Maronites must renew our commitment to faith, unity, and solidarity. We must cast aside hatred, selfishness, and personal ambition. Both clergy and laity must embody the example of Saint Maroun—not living for ourselves alone, but extending a helping hand to those in need. How many among us today have been crushed by hardship, unable to rise again? They need the support of their brethren to regain their footing. A nation cannot thrive unless its people work together to rebuild it. Now is the time for every Maronite and every Lebanese to reject selfish ambition and narrow personal gains. No one can save themselves alone. The harsh reality is undeniable: as Lebanese—Maronites and non-Maronites alike—we are all sailing in the same battered ship, weakened by lack of faith, selfishness, and moral decay. Our fate is one: if the ship sinks, we all perish; if it survives, we are all saved. But salvation requires true fear of God—not merely in words, but in deeds, regardless of the sacrifices required.
Betrayal of Maronite Principles
As we reflect on Saint Maroun’s life, virtues, and sacrifices, we must ask: How could some Maronite leaders betray the very principles upon which our Church and heritage stand? Can they truly claim to be followers of Saint Maroun while they glorify weapons of occupation, align with foreign forces, and trample Lebanon’s sovereignty for the sake of personal gain, hatred, and revenge? Indeed, we live in dark times. These so-called leaders epitomize the words of the Prophet Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching human precepts as doctrines.”
A Prayer for Lebanon’s Redemption
We ask the Lord to grant us wisdom to understand and embody the teachings of our father Maroun. May we unite our ranks, strengthen our bonds with our fellow Lebanese at home and abroad, and work together with sincerity and devotion to restore Lebanon to its former glory—a land of prosperity, stability, and lasting peace. Through Saint Maroun’s intercession, we pray for our clergy, leaders, and people, that they may remain steadfast in faith and hope, unmoved by hardship or temptation. May no allure of power or wealth lead them astray. On this holy occasion, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Maronite brethren and all Lebanese. Together, we pray that the Lord may grant us the grace to follow in the footsteps of Saint Maroun—living with reverence for God, detachment from worldly vanities, love for humanity, humility, and self-sacrifice.
A Final Plea for Repentance
In particular, we pray for the repentance of corrupt and treacherous Maronite leaders who, despite experiencing exile and humiliation, failed to learn from their past. Lebanon was liberated through the sacrifices of its sons, yet these leaders returned to power with striking arrogance, focused solely on personal gain, authority, and wealth. For these Maronite Judases, we pray that they may repent and return to the path of righteousness. Otherwise, their reckoning on Judgment Day is inevitable—where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” We conclude with the words of Saint Paul (Romans 12:15-18): “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
