Our Lady Of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral
St James, disciple of Maron
James of Cyr was a hermit and one of the disciples of Maron. These disciples of Maron are an extension of their spiritual Father and Founder: they went to his school of asceticism, learned from him and were directed by him. These disciples are described by Theodoret as flowers in the garden of Maron. Many of the disciples never met the saint, but only heard about his life and virtues and his new school of asceticism and solitude. They wanted to imitate his life of devotion and sacrifice, so they became his followers. The disciple James was still alive when Theodoret wrote about him. James was instructed in the heavenly way by the great Maron who loved him very much. He lived with Maron for a while and then went off to live by himself. However, James excelled his master in his acts of penance and good deeds. Maron accepted as his dwelling the ruin of a temple, and for clothes he used the skins of goats to protect himself from the cold and the rain. James refused all of this and lived in the open air, saying that the skies were his roof. James thus exposed himself to the intemperate weather, quite often being drenched with rain and submerged in the snow and the ice. In the summer, he was exposed to the burning sun. He accepted everything with great patience, as if he were not enduring all of the sufferings in his own body, but in the body of a stranger. He sustained everything with the strength of the Spirit. It seemed that his body did not suffer from all of these morifications. Indeed, it seemed as if he did not have a body at all, saying with Saint Paul, "We do indeed live in the body, but we do not wage war with human resources. The weapons of our warfare are not merely human. They possess God's power for the destruction of strongholds. We demolish sophistries and every proud pretension that raises itself against the knowledge of God; we likewise bring every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ. We are ready to punish disobedience in anyone else when your own obedience is perfect." (2 Corinthians 10: 3~) He spent his time looking for the exercise of virtues. In seeking solitude, he went to the mountains, far from the city. This mountain became famous because of him and people would go there and take soil from this place, which they considered holy. It is still referred today as "Sheikh Khouros," or "the holy one from Khouros." Bishop Theodoret wrote that he himself went out to see James and to observe him. After remaining with the holy hermit, Theodoret wrote of many examples of James holiness and life of penance. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
St Maron
All that is known about Maron, the spiritual father and protector of the Maronites comes from Theodoret, the bishop of Cyr. In approximately 444, Theodoret undertook the project of writing a religious history about his region. Theodoret never knew Maron personally, but only through the disciples of this holy man. He described Maron as "the one who has planted for God the garden which flourishes now in the region of Cyr." Little is known of the birth or youth of Maron because Theodoret was unconcerned about that aspect of his life. He felt that Maron was a man born not for this world, but for heaven. In his description of the beginning of Maron's life, Theodoret asserts that Maron had "already increased the number of saints in heaven." According to history, Maron was never satisfied with the ordinary practices of asceticism, but was "always seeking for new ways to accumulate all the treasures of wisdom." Maron was the spiritual leader not only of the hermits who lived near him, but indeed of all of the Christian faithful in the area. He used to counsel them, heal their bodily and spiritual ills. All of these apostolic endeavors manifested the wisdom and holiness of the hermit Maron. Some hold the opinion that Maron and John Chrysostom studied together at Antioch before 398 and that the famous letter sent by John Chrysostom was indeed sent to this hermit Maron and not to some other anchorite with the same name. If the monk referred to in this letter if from the region of Cyr, it is indeed our spiritual father, Maron. The date of Maron's death is placed somewhere between 407 and 423. Because of his great popularity among the people, riots broke out at the time of his death because everyone wanted to save his remains in their village. The Maronite Church formerly celebrated the feast of this great saint on January 5th. (This is the day in which the Church of Kfarhai was consecrated in his honor.) However, in the seventeenth century, the feast was transferred to February 9th. Lebanon has proclaimed Maron as its patron saint and Pope Benedict XIV granted a plenary indulgence to everyone who visited a Maronite church on February 9th. The gospel tells us that a tree is known by its fruits and we know from Theodoret that the garden of Maron flourished after his death. One is able to number approximately twenty saints among Maron's disciples, three of whom are women. Theodoret describes these disciples of Maron with these words: "These anchorites were virtuous and heroic, totally dedicated to a life of contemplative prayer. They were strangers to any other consideration in the world. They were obedient to Church authority and tried to imitate their predecessor in thier exercises of austerity. At times, their acts of penance and mortification were excessive, but they were always obedient to ecclesiastical authority." After the Council of Chalcedon, Bishop Theodoret worked to construct the famous Monastery of Saint Maron. In addition to being a stronghold for the defense of the teachings of the Council of Chalcedon, this monastery was for a long time the center of the cultural and theological heritage of Antioch.
St Peter
Peter was originally from the town of Bethsaida on the shores of the Lake of Tiberias in the region of Galilee. In Aramaic, his name was Simon, son of John and the Lord gave him the name Peter, which means rock. He was married and worked with his brother Andrew as a fisherman at Capernaum. Almost nothing is known about his family life. Peter and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptizer and, when called by Christ, they became his followers. Peter had a fiery temperment and was, at times, somewhat hot-headed. Yet he loved Jesus and followed him with all his spirit. At Caesarea Philippi the Lord handed the care of the Church over to Peter and confirmed Peter's primacy after the resurrection. After the ascension Peter exercised his authority over the Church through his preaching and teaching in Antioch, Corinth and Rome. Peter wrote two epistles and the gospel of Mark preserves much of his teaching. He suffered and died in Rome where he was imprisoned and eventually crucified upside down on the Vatican Hill on the twenty-ninth day of June in the year 67. The Emperor Constantine constructed a church over his tomb. The Apostle Paul was born at Tarsus in Cilicia around the year 7. He called himself "Saul" and says concerning himself that he was "circumcised on the eighth day, being of the stock of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew origins; in legal observance I was a Pharisee, and so zealous that I persecuted the church. . . But those things I used to consider gain I have now reappraised as loss in the light of Christ." (Philippians 3: 5-7) He acquired knowledge of both the Greek and Hebrew cultures and studied theology in Jerusalem under the great Rabbi Gemaliel. He assisted in the persecution of Christians and was present at the death of Stephen. He was converted when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He was baptized and began to preach the gospel to the gentiles. He traveled throughout the Mediterranian and some claim that he went as far as Spain. He was arrested and brought before the Jewish and Roman authorities. Because he was a Roman citizen he appealed his case to Rome where he was beheaded. The letters of Paul are an incomparable source of Christian doctrine and are essential for thorough understanding of Christ. To the Lord, who chose Peter to be chief of the apostles and Paul to be the apostle to the nations, be glory and praise for ever May their prayers be with us. Amen.
St Elias
Elias or Eliyahu, whose name signifies, "Yahweh is my God", was one of the great prophets of the Old Testament. Devotion to him is spread throughout the East and there his miracles are greatly celebrated. The First and Second Books of Kings speak of him. He is referred to as the "Tishbite" after the village of his birth. Elias was filled with zeal for spreading the word of God. He lived during the reign of King Achab (875-845) and courageously criticized the king's wife, the impious Jezabel. He was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire and the prophet Malachi, announced that he would return. Christ said that Elias had returned in the person of John the Baptizer. As we immitate his zeal for spreading the word of the Lord, may his prayers be with us. Amen.
St Anthony of Padua
Anthony was born in the city of Lisbon around the year 1195. He first entered the Augustinian order and later became one of the first disciples of St. Francis. He lived a holy life and was noted for his preaching, teaching and writing. He died at the age of thirty-six on the thirteenth of June in the year 1231. Since he passed his later years of life in the city of Padua, the name of this town was attached to his name. He was canonized only a year after his death. Devotiori to Saint Anthony was brought to Lebanon by the Francisan missionaries in the fifteenth century. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Exaltation of the Cross
Today's feast is one of the greatest feasts of the Eastern Churches. It is frequently mentioned in ecclesiastical writings and always has as its object the triumph of Christ, his resurrection, and the veneration of the holy cross, the sign of his victory over death. The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was first instituted in order to commemorate the dedication of the Church of the Resurrection on September 13, 335. The Emperor Constantine built this church and the one in Bethlehem and they are both in existence today. The Church of the Resurrection had five naves and in the interior a circular structure covered by a dome which protected the sanctuary of the sepulchre or tomb of Christ. The date of September 13 was chosen in order to supplant the pagan feast of the Temple of Jupiter in Rome. The second historical event which is the source of our present feast was the return of the holy cross to Jerusalem under Emperor Heraclius. The wood of the cross had been preserved in the Church of the Resurrection until May 4, 614 when the Persians captured Jerusalem, burned the Church of the Resurrection and carried off the cross. After the victory of Emperor Heraclius over the Persians, the cross was returned to Jerusalem on September 14, 628. It is said that the Emperor, dressed in his royal vestments, carried the cross through the streets of Jerusalem. He was stopped by the Patriarch who demanded that he remove his splendid vestments in order to become more like the scorned Christ. The Emperor agreed and walked through the streets barefooted. A crowd of the faithful accompanied him and prostrated before the holy cross. On this day the Maronite Church celebrates the Rite of the Cross, which is a service of adoration of the cross, the sign of our salvation. This feast which comes at the end of the annual liturgical cycle is also directed toward the second coming of Christ, who carries his cross of light and triumph. It is this theme which is the object of the readings and prayers of the seven weeks which follow and which close the liturgical year. Adoration and honor to the cross of our Savior Glory and praise to Christ our God, forever Amen.
Transfiguration
While Jesus and his disciples were in the region of Caesarea Philippi, near the borders of Lebanon, the Lord took Peter, James and John up a high mountain and was transfigured before them. His appearance was changed and he reflected the glory of his divintiy. He was joined by Moses and Elias, who represented the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament of which Christ was the fulfillment. We do not know the precise date or place of the transfiguration, and the present date of August 6th marks the day upon which the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor was dedicated. In fact, an ancient title for this feast was "the feast of Mount Tabor". In 1457, Pope Celestine III extended the Feast of the Transfiguration to the entire Church. Glory and honor be to our Lord and God, for ever. Amen.
Assumption
Ancient tradition tells us and our own faith assures us of what the Church has solemnly proclaimed: the Virgin Mary has entered, body and soul, into heaven. After her death the Virgin Mother of God, without undergoing corruption, has entered heaven, by a special privilege of God, with her body glorified as was her Son's. As God had preserved her from the stain of original sin, made her a mother and yet preserved her as a virgin, so also has he brought her to himself in her integral human nature of body and soul. The origins of this feast are very ancient and date to a period some time before the sixth century. Although it has been an ancient tradition to venerate the bodies of the saints, there never has been any mention of there being any veneration to the body of the Virgin. This is an added witness to the truth of the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary. This feast is celebrated in the Churches of both East and the West under a variety of titles. May our Virgin Mother intercede for us and may her prayers protect us. Amen.
John Maron
Today the Maronite Church celebrates the memorial of its first patriarch of Antioch, John Maron. Since in the second half of the seventh century the See of Antioch was vacant, the Maronites elected a patriarch from the monastery of Saint Maron on the Orante. John Maron was a spiritual leader and patriot who defended his people and accompanied them to Lebanon during their persecution. Tradition says that he died and was buried at Kafr Hayy (Batroun) in the sanctuary which is consecrated to him. Previously our Church celebrated his feast on March 9, Patriarch Joseph Estephan transferred his memorial to this date in 1778. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
The governor of Sebaste in Armenia wished to force forty soldiers to renounce Christ. First he imprisoned them and then he threw them into a frozen pool. They prayed with one heart: "We forty have entered the arena, 0 Lord, grant that we may be able to receive the crown." One of them escaped and renounced Christ, but their guard, a pagan,took his place. In the morning the guards broke their legs and burned their bodies. They received the crown of martyrdom around the year 322. May their prayers be with us. Amen.
St Joseph
Saint Joseph was the spouse of the Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ our Lord. He was of the line of David and worked as a carpenter at Nazareth. God chose him for the greatest mission ever conferred upon a man. His humility, his sanctity and his confidence in God were remarkable. Devotion to Saint Joseph had its orgins in the West. The whole Church now venerates him; the Maronite Church also commemorates him on the Fifth Sunday of Announcement as it prepares for the Birth of our Lord. May God guard us by his prayers. Amen.
Announcement to Mary
The Maronite calendar commemorates this feast twice during the year today and on the Second Sunday of Announcement. Today's feast goes back to the fourth century, when it was decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25th; the Annunciation was naturally celebrated nine months before. This is a great feast in both the East and the West since it recalls the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God in the womb of the Virgin. May the prayers of the Blessed Virgin protect us. Amen.
St Gabriel the Archangel
It is the custom of the Eastern Churches to continue the celebration of the memorial of a saint on the day following his feast. This is why we celebrate today the memorial of the Archangel Gabriel who bore the announcement of the incarnation to the Virgin Mary, our Mother. The name Gabriel is a Hebrew word which signifies "the strength of God". May God, through the intercession of his angel, strengthen us so that we may serve him. Amen.
St George
George, a Christian officer in the Roman army, consecrated his life to defend the Church, (which is symbolized in icons of him as the daughter of a king) against the attacks of Satan (the dragon). According to tradition he was martyred in the third century for his faith in Christ and was buried at Lydda in Palestine. A great church was erected over his tomb and the dedication of this church is celebrated on November 3rd. The devotion to this saint has spread throughout the East and the West; the faithful of all rites and nations count him as one of their own. The Cathedrals of Beirut and Sarba are dedicated to him as are a great number of other sanctuaries throughout Lebanon. He is the patron of England, the army, young people and scouts. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
St Mark the evangelist
Mark was the son of a Christian named Mary, whose home in Jerusalem became the place of gatherings for Christians (Acts 12: 12). He was also a relative Barnabas, the Cypriot levite. He had both a Jewish name, "John" and a Roman name, "Mark". He traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, in order to preach the gospel. He then continued on to Cyprus, Asia Minor and Pamphilia where he left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. Later on he again accompanied Barnabas. We find him with Paul, who was imprisoned at Rome, and with Peter, who called him "Mark, my son." He transcribed the preaching of Peter at Rome into Greek around the year 65. The establishment of the Church of Alexandria is attributed to him as is evident from its title, "The preaching of Mark." The various accounts of his life agree that he was martyred at Alexandria on Easter Day around the year 70; the pagans seized him, put a rope around his neck and dragged him through the streets of the city all day. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
St Simon the Zealot
This is not Simon, the son of John, but rather the one whom Matthew refers to as "the Canaanite" (for Cana of Galilee was his village) and whom Luke calls, "Simon the Zealot." Although nothing is known about his life, it is said that he evangelized Ethiopia and Persia. He lived and died witnessing to Christ. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
OUR LADY OF THE SEEDS
Today the Church celebrates the memorial of our Virgin Mother under the title of "Our Lady of the Seeds". In origin this is an agricultural feast, which arose from the needs of the farmers to seek God's help for a fruitful harvest. The farmers were at the mercy of the elements and depended upon sufficient rain and good weather. As a result they sought God's assistance and begged the intercession of Mary for their crops.
In the ancient texts for the divine office we find this text, which refers to the agrarian feasts of the Virgin:
The dew spread all over the region where John wrote
the Book of the Virgin, in which is found:
"Let the memory of the blessed One be celebrated
three times a year:
in January for the seeds;
in May for the ears of wheat;
in August for the grapes
which symbolize the sacrament of life: Bless them!"
The ancient texts speak of Mary's protection not only in material terms of the crops of the field, but also of her role in the incarnation as the Mother of the Source of Life, Jesus Christ. Saint Ephrem speaks of Mary in this regard when he says that Mary became the field who received the grain of wheat in her womb and this grain of wheat, Jesus Christ our Lord, gives life to the world. Through the harvest we receive the gifts of bread and wine, which become for us the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. Hence we pray during the transfer of the offerings:
I am the Bread of Life, said our Lord.
From on high, I came to earth, so men might live in me.
Pure Word without flesh, I was sent from the Father.
Mary's womb received me like good earth a grain of wheat.
Behold! The priest bears me aloft to the altar.
Alleluia! Accept our offering.
Let us put all our lives and the crops of the fields under the protection of Our Lady of the Seeds. May she assist us with. her prayers. Amen.
First Sunday of May
Today we celebrate the memorial of our Virgin Mother under the title of "Our Lady of Lebanon". The Maronite Church has always had a special devotion to the Virgin, as is evidenced by the great number of churches which are dedicated to her both in Lebanon and in our own country. Mary, moreover, plays a special role in the Church's liturgy: there are numberous hoosoyeh dedicated to her, qoley and hymns which extol! her virtues, and constant petitions which beg her intercession. And yet Mary is always seen in the Maronite liturgy as the Mother of the Lord,the Theotokos, in whose womb the Word took flesh: Hail Mary! In your virginity, you became the mother of the mighty One who fills heaven and earth. Hail Mary! In your virginity, you became the mother of the ancient One whose name was before the sun was created. Hail Mary! -,~ your virginity, you became the mother of the Creator who formed Eve and gave her to Adam. Blessed are you, Mary, in whose womb dwelled in holiness the only begotten Son who is one in nature and in splendor with the Father. It is because of Mary's unique position of Mother of the Lord that the Church knows that it can turn to her and seek her intercession with her Son: O Mother of the Life, petition your divine Son to keep away from us all the effects of evil, to preserve us from all animosity and to strengthen us on our way. As we honor the Virgin Mother of the Lord under her title of "Our Lady of Lebanon," we pray for the land of our ancestors in the faith, for the whole Maronite Church, and for those parishes which are dedicated under her patronage. May our Lady of Lebanon assist us by her prayers. Amen.
Our Lady of the seeds
Today the Church celebrates the memorial of our Virgin Mother under the title of "Our Lady of the Seeds". In origin this is an agricultural feast which arose from the needs of the farmers to seek God's help for a fruitful harvest. The farmers were at the mercy of the elements and depended upon sufficient rain and good weather. As a result they sought God's assistance and begged the intercession of Mary for their crops. In the ancient texts for the divine office we find this text which refers to the agrarian feasts of the Virgin: The dew spread all over the region where John wrote the Book of the Virgin, in which is found: "Let the memory of the blessed One be celebrated three tims a year: in January for the seeds; in May for the ears of wheat; in August for the grapes which symbolize the sacrament of life: Bless theml" The ancient texts speak of Mary's protection not only in material terms of the crops of the field, but also of her role in the incarnation as the Mother of the Source of Life, Jesus Christ. Saint Ephrem speaks of Mary in this regard when he says that Mary became the field who received the grain of wheat in her womb and this grain of wheat, Jesus Christ our Lord, gives life to the world. Through the harvest we receive the gifts of bread and wine which become for us the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. Hence we pray during the transfer of the offerings: I am the Bread of Life, said our Lord. From on high, I came to earth, so men might live in me. Pure Word without flesh, I was sent from the Father. Mary's womb received me like good earth a grain of wheat. Behold! The priest bears me aloft to the altar. Alleluia! Accept our offering. Let us put all our lives and the crops of the fields under the protection of Our Lady of the Seeds. May she assist us with. her prayers. Amen.
Birth of John the baptizer
In both the scriptures and in the Church's liturgy John the Baptizer is refered to as an angel, prophet, apostle, hermit and martyr, for these terms well describe his life and work. John, like the angels was sent from God to be the messanger of -the Lord. His message was that of the prophets who came before him: repent for the messiah of God is at hand. Like the apostles who followed him, John pointed to Jesus and proclaimed him as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." He prepares for his ministry as a hermit in the desert, living a life of prayer, fasting and continence. And, like all those who dare to proclaim the truth, he suffered a martyr's death in fidelity to the word of God. John, in fact, closely resembles the Lord Jesus in his birth, life and death. As Jesus was perfect, so John sought out, not only personal perfection, but also the perfect One, Jesus Christ. The birth of John was announced by the Archangel Gabriel who would also announce Christ's birth. His birth, like that of the Lord, was surrounded by improbability and wonder: for an aged couple, with no hope of offspring, the angel gives the joyful news of the birth of a son, John. While in the womb, John was sanctified for his mission of preaching repentance and pointing out the messiah. Before their births Jesus and John encountered each other in the persons of their mothers. As Mary greeted Elizabeth, John (still in the womb) jumped for joy as he recognized the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary. Thus John was born to grace before his human birth. Since he was to prepare the Lord's way, it was only proper that he should be prepared by God's grace for his prophetic work. May the prayers of John the Baptizer be with us. Amen.
The Massabki Brothers
In the course of the fighting in Syria and Lebanon in 1860, a great number of Christians died for their faith. Among them were the Franciscan Fathers and the Massabki brothers who were all martyred at Damascus in Syria. The Franciscan Fathers Ruiz, Colta, Escanio, Solar, Alberca, Binazo, Fernadez and Colanda were murdered during the night of July 10th. Among the thousands of lay Christians who shed their blood for Christ were the Massabki brothers. On that same night they fled to the Church for safety, but their assailants were able to enter and demanded them to abandon their religion. In the name of all, one of the brothers, Francis, refused their demand and said: We do not fear the one who kills the body. a crown is prepared for us in heaven, we have our souls . . . and we do not wish to lose them, we are Christians and we wish to die as Christians. They were martyred in the Church before the altar and their bodies were buried in the Maronite Church of Damascus. Pope Pius XI declared them blessed on October 10, 1926. May their prayers be with us. Amen.
St Nouhra
Nouhra is particularly venerated in the churches of the East. He is befieved to be the same person as the martyr called Lucien, who came from the city of Manhur in Persia. He traveled preaching the gospel and he suffered martyrdom at Batroun in Lebanon. His name means "Light" and for this reason he is the special patron of those who suffer from diseases of the eyes. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
St Sharbel
Born at Beqaa-Kafra, the highest inhabited place in Lebanon, near the famous cedars, the youngJoseph Makhlouf grew up with the example of two of his uncles, who were both hermits, before his eyes.Aged twenty-three, he left home secretly and entered the monastery of Our Lady of Mayfuq, taking the name of a Syrian martyr, Charbel, on his admission. Ordained a priest in 1859, he took up his residence at the monastery of St Maroun at Annaya, which is over 3500 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. Father Charbel lived in this community for fifteen years, and was a model monk in the exact sense of the word: it is recorded that, although he rejoiced to be able to be of the slightest assistance to his neighbour, nevertheless it was always a trial to him to leave his monastery. It was his delight to pass his time in singing the office in choir, in working in the fields and in spiritual reading, and nobody was surprised when eventually he asked, and received permission to go and live the life of a hermit. Whilst Maronite monks are generally engaged in parochial and pastoral work, provision is nevertheless made for those chosen souls who feel called to the eremitical life to pursue their vocation, generally in groups of two or three. So began for the new hermit that holy life which has been led unaltered since the days of the desert fathers: Perpetual fasting, with abstinence from meat, fruit and wine; manual work sanctified by prayer; a mattress stuffed with leaves and covered with goatskin for a bed and a block of wood wrapped in a piece of old habit for a pillow; the interdiction to leave the hermitage without express permission. St Charbel placed himself under obedience to the other hermit, and passed twenty-three years thus, his various austerities seeming only to increase the robustness of his health. The only disturbance to his prayer came in the form of an ever-increasing stream of visitors drawn by his reputation for sanctity to seek from him advice, the promise of prayer or some miracle. Then one morning, in the middle of December 1898, he was taken ill without warning, just before the consecration while celebrating Mass. His companion helped him to his cell, which he was never to leave. The paralysis gradually gained on him and he was anointed. On the night of Christmas Eve he died, repeating the prayer which he had been unable to finish at the altar: "Father of truth, behold Thy Son, who makes atoning sacrifice unto Thee. Accept the offering; He died for me that I might have life. Behold the offering! Accept it..." The words summed up a life of seventy years.
St Pomitius
There are numberous stories about Domitius and his devotion is widespread in Lebanon. There may have been, in fact, two saints who bore this name. One was a Persian monk who lived in Nisibus during the fourth century. He lived as a hermit on Mount Ooroch and was noted for his preaching and healing miracles. He suffered martyrdom under the pagan emperor Julian the Apostate in the year 363. Another tradition reports that Domitius was a minister in the court of the Byzantine emperor Valens who was an Arian. Domitius encouraged the emperor to persecute the orthodox Christians until he was afflicted with arthritis. As a result he was converted from Arianism and became a hermit. He cured many who were suffering from arthritis and is now considered as the patron of those who suffer from that disease. He died at the beginning of the fourth century. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
St Mammas
Mammas was born of Christian parents; his mother brought him into the world while in prison for her faith in Christ. After his mother's death another Christian woman took care of him. He was a shepherd and was loved by all the peasants for his good humor. He was arrested because he was a Christian and the judge demanded that he burn incense to idols, but Mammas refused. After undergoing severe torture he was beheaded in the year 279 at the age of 15. Many miracles are attributed to him and one of the more ancient churches of Mount Lebanon is dedicated to him: the Church of Saint Mammas at Ehden, dating from the year 748. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
St Shmooni and her seven sons
Today's feast commemorates eight martyrs of the Jewish people: Shmooni and her seven sons. Their martyrdom took place around the year 170 before the birth of Christ, under the reign of the Syrian king, Antiochus Epiphanes. This king attempted to impose the pagan cult of Jupiter upon the Jewish people and even desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem. Under the threat of persecution and even death many Jews abandoned their religion. According to an ancient tradition, it is said that the death of Shmooni and her sons took place in Antioch, and from there the relics of these martyrs were brought to Constinople and finally Rome where they rest in the Church of Saint Peter in Chains. Although her name is not mentioned, tradition gives the mother the name of Shmooni or Salome. The account of the death of the mother and sons is found in chapter 7 of the Second Book of Maccabees. The story of their martyrdom teaches us of their fidelity to the Jewish traditions, the great mercy of God for his people, their hope in the resurrection of the body, of God's reward to those who are faithful to him and of his judgement on those who turn away. Shmooni's example of faith as she saw her sons slowly put to death should be a sign to us when our faith is tested. May the prayers of Shomooni and her seven sons be with us. Amen.
St Simon the Stylite
Simon is the most famous of the stylites or saints who spent their days seated on high platforms or pillars. The immense monastery which had been built around his pillar still exists in the environs of Alepo. The celebrated historian Theodoret who was a contemporary of Simon, had personally met him and wrote about his life. Simon was born near Antioch in the year 392. While still a young man, he gave himself over to the service of God in the desert. When he later sought solitude away from the crowds that pressed around him, he established himself on a pillar which grew higher and higher above the crowds. He thus lived between heaven and earth for about forty years, preaching and exhorti~g the crowds from high upon his pillar. Numerous individuals who came to him were converted by his preaching. He died in the year 459. Devotion to Saint Simon spread throughout Syria and Lebanon. The monastery named after him and the sight of his pillar were the objects of pilgrimages throughout the East.
Beheading of John the Baptizer
Without a doubt we can learn much from the life and death of John the Baptizer. His life was one of penance and he called the people of Israel to repentance, thereby preparing the way for the coming of the Lord. John was not concerned for personal gain, but rather, he desired only that Jesus increase and that he decrease. His great courage was especially evident in his confrontation with king Herod. The king had entered into an adulterous marriage with his brother's wife and John publically denounced him for his sin. Without regard for his own life he called Herod to repentance (Mark 6:9). He was thrown into jail and was eventually executed in order to appease Herod's wife. Before his death he sent his disciples to Jesus (Luke 7: 19-20). John, who declared the truth of God's commandments before Herod was priviledged to point to the incarnate Truth, Jesus Christ, and call the people to follow him. John's death, which we recall today, points to Christ and his death on the cross. John died in fidelity to God's truth.. Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, died to reconcile us to the Father and each other. May the prayers of John the Baptizer be with us. Amen.
St James the brother of the Lord
In the gospel, the expression "brother of the Lord" is understood as referring to a close relative. From Matthew's gospel (27:57) we know that James was the son of Mary, the wife of Clophas, the brother of Joseph. Some believe that this Mary was t~e sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus (see, John 19:25). This James was not one of the twelve, but he was one of the disciples. He became the leader of the Church in Jerusalem, and was ejected from the Temple by the Jews. According to tradition James is a different person from James, the brother of John. May his prayes be with us. Amen.
Birth of the Virgin
A tradition which comes from the apocryphal gospels tells us that the parents of the Virgin Mary were childless. When their prayer was heard, and Mary was born, her parents brought her to the Temple where she passed her days up to the time when she was engaged to Joseph. Today the Church honors Mary, who is blessed among women, and considers this day as the beginning of our salvation in her Son, Jesus Christ. The name, "Mary", comes from Aramaic and signifies either "the elevated one" or "queen of the sea". May the prayers of the Virgin, our Queen, protect us. Amen.
St John the Apostle
John was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He was the brother of the apostle James and the son of Zebedee and Salome. He earned his living as a fisherman. At first he was a disciple of John the Baptizer, later he became a foflower of Jesus and his beloved disciple. During the Last Supper it was John who rested his head on the chest of the Lord and followed him up to the cross. After the death of the other apostles John lived at Ephesus and according to tradition, spent his last days on the island of Patmos where he died at an advanced age. The fourth gospel, three epistles and the Book of Revelation are attributed to him. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
St Joachim and Ann
As the early Church began to reflect on the privileged role of Mary as Mother of God, it naturally began to wonder about her parents and the other members of her family. Various traditions regarding the early life of Mary were collected and published in what have become known as the apocryphal gospel. Although the Church has never accepted these writings as being inspired, they give us some insight into the popular stories which circulated about Mary and her parents. A fourth century manuscript of the Protoevangelium of James gives the names Joachim and Ann to the parents of Mary. Joachim, according to this tradition, was a levite from Nazareth of the lineage of David. He and his wife Ann desired children, but remained childless. Ann made a vow to the Lord that if he would grant her a child she would offer the child to the service of the Lord in the Temple. When Mary was born her mother fulfilled her vow and Mary was accordingly raised in the Temple. Whether this story is accurate or not we have no way of telling, however, we can be sure that Mary's parents must have prepared her for her role as the Mother of the Savior by sharing with her their faith and love. Devotion to Joachim and Ann spread throughout the East and it was eventually introduced into the Western Church. Many churches are dedicated to the parents of Mary in Lebanon. May the prayers of Joachim and Ann be with us. Amen.
St Ruhana(Cyriacus)
Ruhana is the Syriac name for Saint Cyriacus who was called "the spiritual one" - in Syriac, Ruhanan. He was born at Corinth in the year 446 and became a monk in Palestine under the direction of Saint Euthymus. He became the superior of his monastery and was a model for all because of his piety, wisdom and exhortations. He died at the age of 107. Certain Maronite calendars refer to him as Ruhana, "the singer." Many churches and monasteries in Lebanon are dedicated to him. May his prayers protect us. Amen.
St Thomas the Apostle
Thomas, also called "the twin originally from Galilee. He was quick tempered and so attached to Jesus that he readily said to him: "Let us go there also, and we will die with you!" He was a witness to the sufferings and abaisement of Christ and was so upset by them that he doubted the resurrection: "If I do not see his hands and the mark of nails and unless I put my hand in his side, I will not believe." But the Lord appeared to him and showed Thomas his wounds. Then, full of faith, Thomas cried out: "My Lord and My God!" An ancient tradition reports to us that he evangelized the region of Edessa near India. Even today the Syro-Malabar and Malankar Churches consider him as their father in faith and venerate his tomb.
St Sarkis and Bacchus
Sarkis and Bacchus were two courageous leaders of the Roman army. They died for the Christian faith around the year 307. Devotion to them was very popular in the East and Christian Arabs drew the images of Saints Sarkis and Bacchus on their banners. A great church was built at Rosafa, known as the town of Sarkis, in his honor. Devotion to these two saints is still very vibrant in Lebanon and there are numerous churches there dedicated to them. May their prayers be with us. Amen.
St Jude the Apostle
Jude is know by several names. In Lebanon he is called Lebbeus, Levi, or Laba and is venerated in the town of Hosroun. The Maronite Synaxarion says that he was one of the Seventy disciples of the Lord and calls him by the name of Thaddeus. According to one tradition, he suffered martyrdom in Raha, and according to another, he died in Beirut. Today he is considered to be one of the Twelve (Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13). Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18 refer to him as Thaddeus so as to avoid confusing him with Judas Iscariot (John 14:22). The name Thaddeus in Aramaic means, "chest" and in Hebrew the name Lebbeus means "heart". Jude was the brother of James the Less and Simon who were the firs; bishops of Jerusalem. After the Last Supper when Jesus promised to: manifest himself to everyone who would love hirn, Jude asked the Lord why he didn't manifest himself to the world, since he thought that Jesus was to be a secular messiah, an earthly king. A brief epistle is ascribed to Jude and most scholars accept Jude as the author of this letter. Little is known about the preaching or death of Jude, although some have said that he died in Persia. Devotion to Saint Jude is very strong in the Maronite Church and many churches are named in his honor. He is known as the patron saint of hopeless causes. May the prayers of Jude be with us. Amen.
St Shalita (Artimius)
Shalita, who is also known as Artemius, was born in the fourth century. He achieved high rank in the Roman army and was eventually given responsibility for the Roman troops stationed in Egypt. He remained a faithful Christian despite the danger of loosing his position and even his life. He was summoned before the emperor in Antioch for having destroyed the temples and idols of the pagan Gods. It is said that his body was taken to Constantinople by Arista, who was a deaconess of the Church in Antioch. Shalita is held in great veneration by the Greek Church under the name of Artemius. Many churches and monasteries in Lebanon have been named in his honor and he is considered the patron of animals. May the prayers of Shalita be with us. Amen.
St Comas and Damian
Factually, nothing is known of the lives of these saints other than that they suffered martyrdom at Cyr in Syria around the end of the third century during the Diocletian persecution. Legend describes them as practitioners of medicine who took no money for their services. After their martyrdom, their cult quickly spread in the East and the West. A church was erected in Constantinople and became a center for pilgrims seeking healing. They are the protectors of barren women and, along with Luke the Evangelist, the patrons of doctors. The Maronites also formerly commemorated a certain Cosmas from Aleppo on March 28.
St Micheal the Archangel
The name "Michael" in Hebrew means "He who is like God." In the Old Testament, Michael is the "great prince who stands over your people." He is described as the heavenly spirit who watches over Israel (Daniel 10: 13, 21). In Jude 9, he is referred to as an archangel. Michael and his angels are described in Revelation as battling the dragon (Satan) and the other angels who lost their place in heaven (See Revelation 12: 7-9; Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 21:12). Michael the Archangel is the source of strength and consolation for God's people in times of difficulties. Because of his vigilance over the People of God, he is invoked as a protector of the Church of Christ against the powers of evil. Churches in his honor date from the fourth century and his cult is widespread. In the East, he is venerated as having a care for the sick.
St Barbara
Information about the life and martyrdom of Barbara comes from a seventh-century account, probably originating in Egypt. While the East retains a long history of the martyrdom of Barbara, the West has relegated her life to that of legend. According to this legend, Barbara's father, Dioscorus, imprisoned Barbara in a tower in order to keep her pure. When Dioscorus learned that Barbara had been baptized a Christian, he had her condemned by the civil authorities and beheaded her. Barbara is the patroness of those confronted with sudden death and those involved in battles. Barbara is often referred to as the greatest among women martyrs. In Lebanon, the children celebrate her feast day in the same manner as Halloween is celebrated in the United States.
St John Chrysostom
In 349 John was born in Antioch, a center of both culture and heresies. His father, Secundus, was a high-ranking army officer and probably a Roman and a Christian. His mother, Anthusa, was Greek and praised by her son for her piety and virtues. After a classical education, John was baptized during Easter 368. 1156 He then aspired to become a monk and practiced severe austerities for several years, which led to an impairment of his health. Ordained to the priesthood in 386, he began his illustrious career as a preacher. After twelve years, he succeeded Nectarius as the Patriarch of Constantinople. He instituted many reforms in the ecclesiastical life of the patriarchate, a project which made him unpopular with some of the clergy. His bluntness also created many enemies at court, one of them being the impress, Eudoxia. In 402 John was exired and underwent great sufferings while travelling from one place to another. He died on September 14, 407. His renown as a preacher won for him the name of "Chrysostom," or "Golden Mouth." For this reason, he is the patron of preachers. It was John Chrysostom who took the Antiochene liturgy to the imperial court at Byzantium and who wrote the liturgy which bears his name. In addition to being a Father and Doctor of the Universal Church, he is the patron of the entire Byzantine Church and the patron of preachers.
St Romanos, Martyr of Antioch
In the Maronite synaxarion, two saints by the name of Romanos are commemorated. The other Romanos is described as the Father of Monks and is celebrated on February 27. The Romanos commemorated today is also commemorated on March 1. Romanos was born in Palestine in Caesarea and ordained a deacon in one of the villages belonging to this province. When the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, began his persecution of the Christians both in the East and in the West, especially at Antioch, Romanos immediately decided to go to that city when he heard that many of the Christians there were abandoning their Christian faith. The emperor threatened to cut out Romanos' tongue, but the future martyr continued preaching and urged the people to confess to no other savior but Jesus. Finally; he was arrested, thrown into prison, and in 303 beheaded. There are many who assert that Romanos originated in Antioch and not in Palestine. This confusion arose from the fact that the early Christians attributed martyrs to the place where their blood was~~sh~ rather than the place where they were born. Romanos still lives in the memory and lives of the Maronite faith~~ (in Lebanon and the United States) who have churches named in'h~ honor. Today, the Church commemorates the offering of a young girl, Mary, by her parents for service in the Temple. The Feast of the Presentation was celebrated in Jerusalem from the sixth century. The Churches of the East used to celebrate the feast under the name of "Entrance to the Tempie." The feast came to the West in the middle of the fourteenth century. The Mosaic law required that the first born male be dedicated to God (Exodus 13: 12). A private pious practice of dedicating a first-born female may also have arisen. There were buildings in the Temple area where girls and women stayed and served the Temple. There is documentation which proves that girls were dedicated to the service of the Temple and also studied Sacred Scripture. The New Testament does not mention the childhood of Mary, but there is an abundance of apocryphal literature on the subject. The proto-gospel of James narrates how Joachim wanted to offer Mary when she was two years old, but Anne wanted to wait another year. Thus, when Mary was three years old, she was taken to the'Temple, where she was kept by the high priest and educated until she was fifteen or sixteen years old. In order to enter the Temple it was necessary to ascend a tong staircase; it was said that when she entered the Temple, Mary ran up the steps without turning around to see her parents. The object of the feast is not so much the physical entry of Mary into the Temple, but rather her total consecration to God, her desire to serve God, and her search for virtues that would prepare her to become the Mother of God. In offering herself to the Lord without hesitation or reserve, she thus became the example and model of all who desire to follow the Lord. The Feast of the Presentation of Mary is dear to all those who prepare themselves for the priesthood or the religious life. "0 Lord, my alloted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot" (Psalm 16: 5). They prepare themselves like Mary in order that they might give Christ to the world.
St James the Intercis, Martyr of Persia
James was born of a noble family in the region of Suze in Persia, during the first quarter of the fifth century. For some time, the zealous bishops, Abda, burnt a pagan temple which was dedicated to the god of the sun. The people were outraged and the Christians began to be persecuted. The king, Yazdegerd, ordered the bishop to rebuild the temple he had burnt. The bishop refused and the king ordered him to be executed. The king also ordered that Christians be obligated to present sacrifices to the sun god. If they refused, they were to be tortured. James, though a friend of the king numbered among the Christians. At first, he burnt the incense at the pagan temple in order to avoid the wrath of the king. However, his wife and mother threatened to leave him if he continued in his rejection of the Christian faith. They implored him to abandon these practices and assured him he had nothing to fear because the glory of martyrdom was greater than any earthly treasure. These entreaties greatly moved James and he decided to profess his faith publicly. He ran through the streets shouting, "I am a Christian." The king ordered that James be brought before him. He questioned James as to how he could openly declare his Christian faith and ordered him to offer incense to the god of the sun. James refused and the king ordered him to be tortured. In 420 James was dismembered and decapitated (the name "intercisus" means "cut up"), thus winning the glory of martyrdom.
St Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius was a convert from Paganism, probably of Syrian origin. He was a close disciple of John the Evangelist and possibly the third successor of Peter to the see of Antioch. As a prisoner condemned to death because of his Christian faith, he wrote seven letters during his journey from Antioch to Rome. This bishop is esteemed as a great leader in the Antiochene Church because of his charisms of teaching and prophetic inspiration. It is under the stewardship of this bishop that the three-fold structure of the priesthood, bishop, priest, and deacon, was clearly formulated. He was also the first to use the term "Catholic" in reference to the Church of Christ. The sermons of Ignatius center around the unity and corporateness of the community of believers with the bishop. To be united with the Lord and to share in the Mysteries, one must be united with the emissary sent from the Lord. Ignatius himself wrote: "Be eager, therefore, to be confirmed in the commandments of our Lord and his apostles, so that whatever you do may prosper in body and spirit, in faith and charity, in the Son and Father, and Spirit, in the beginning and in the end, along with your most reverend bishop and the priests . . . and the deacons . . . Be obedient to your bishop and to one another, as Jesus in his human nature was subject to the Father and as the apostles were to Christ. In this way there will be union of body and spirit." His letters reveal him as a man totally dedicated to Christ and yearning for martyrdom. Ignatius is especially venerated in the Eastern Churches, especially those of the Antiochene branch. The Maronites and the Orthodox celebrate his feast on December 20. The Syrians commemorate him on November 16 and January 29.
Praises of the Mother of God
