Page 22 - Holyland Magazine - Catholic Edition 2014
P. 22
Our Lady of Lebanon - Harissa. One of
the most important Maronite shrines
and pilgrimage sites. Photos: courtesy
of the Maronite Church The
Maronite
Catholic
Church
in a Nutshell
Some insights into a rich
history and tradition
T he Maronite Church is one of the largest
Eastern-rite communities of the Roman
Catholic Church and is particularly prominent
in Lebanon. Given their rich history and long
tradition, the following are some insights and
interesting facts about the Maronites.
Who are the Maronites? Some
basic history…
The Maronites are Christians who gathered
around a monastery called Bet Moroon
or the House of Maron built in 452 on the
Orontes River (Lebanon), after the Council
of Chalcedon and at the request of Pope
Leo. The Maronites strongly defended the
Council of Chalcedon (which maintained that
Jesus was both human and divine), making
the Monophysites (those who maintained
that Jesus had a single divine nature) their
bitter enemies. The conlict between the
Maronites and the Monophysites led to strong
persecution that left 350 martyrs and many
refugees in 517. The Maronites informed
Pope Hormizdes of their struggle for the sake
of faith and their martyrs. The pope of Rome
sent them a letter to strengthen the Maronites
describing the Maronite martyrs as soldiers of
Jesus Christ and members of his Living Body.
22
the most important Maronite shrines
and pilgrimage sites. Photos: courtesy
of the Maronite Church The
Maronite
Catholic
Church
in a Nutshell
Some insights into a rich
history and tradition
T he Maronite Church is one of the largest
Eastern-rite communities of the Roman
Catholic Church and is particularly prominent
in Lebanon. Given their rich history and long
tradition, the following are some insights and
interesting facts about the Maronites.
Who are the Maronites? Some
basic history…
The Maronites are Christians who gathered
around a monastery called Bet Moroon
or the House of Maron built in 452 on the
Orontes River (Lebanon), after the Council
of Chalcedon and at the request of Pope
Leo. The Maronites strongly defended the
Council of Chalcedon (which maintained that
Jesus was both human and divine), making
the Monophysites (those who maintained
that Jesus had a single divine nature) their
bitter enemies. The conlict between the
Maronites and the Monophysites led to strong
persecution that left 350 martyrs and many
refugees in 517. The Maronites informed
Pope Hormizdes of their struggle for the sake
of faith and their martyrs. The pope of Rome
sent them a letter to strengthen the Maronites
describing the Maronite martyrs as soldiers of
Jesus Christ and members of his Living Body.
22
