The druzes and the maronites under the turkish rule from 1840 to 1860 charles henry spencerchurchill. It is headed by patriarch bechara boutros alrahi since 2011, seated in bkerke north of beirut, lebanon. At first, it was a relation of enmity that turned later on into a friendship, and then into a love story and a unique way of life, tying the fate of the maronites to their new land. Discover librarianselected research resources on lebanese history from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals. With the mediterranean sea lapping its coastline, its inland consists of rugged, snow capped mountains, waterfalls amid lush vegetation, endless olive fields, deep valleys and the enduring cedars. Two emirs were then created, a maronite and a druse, both bearing the title of kaimakam, and they were held responsible to the pasha of saida. In 1860 the druses, impelled by fanaticism, massacred a large number of maronites at damascus and in the lebanon. Maron, a 4th century monk who lived as a hermit in currentday syria. A merciless struggle against the druses, commencing in 1845, devastated the whole lebanon. The texts concerning st maroun in part one, i set out the two ancient texts which disclose what is known of st maroun. Maronites were able to maintain an independent status in mount lebanon and its coastline after the muslim conquest of the levant, keeping their christian religion, and even the distinctive aramaic language as late as the 19th century. In part two, i discuss these, and in part three i answer matti moosas arguments in his book, the maronites in history, that this. Jul 19, 2012 in this book, william harris synthesizes the history of mount lebanon and the surrounding areas within the modern lebanese statefrom the islamic conquest of the levant to modern times. In spite of the controversy it generated, the synod of mount lebanon is remembered as a landmark in maronite history, in that it led to the formai establishment of the present maronite diocese.
The first lebanese had probably arrived in australia by 1850. The first book printed in the arab world was a bilingual psalter in small folio of 260 pages which was printed in the maronite monastery of st. Marons story takes place in the context of syrian monasticism, which was a. Officially known as the syriac maronite church of antioch, it is part of syriac. They preserved much history of the near east and, in addition, an. Awaiting the second coming of the lord it is our intention to look at some interesting events, people and facts that have coloured our past and formed what we proudly call our maronite history. To read about the background to these events, see history of lebanon. Druze, maronite and coptic christians, jews and others share the land. Lebanon and the maronites are inseparably attached. Most previous historians lack coherence and continuity. By then the maronites had established themselvesa cardinal fact in the history of lebanon, which long remained predominantly christian while syria became muslim.
The maronite church is an eastern catholic sui iuris particular church in full communion with the pope and the worldwide catholic church, with selfgovernance under the code of canons of the eastern churches. In the mount lebanon range a monastic tradition known as the maronite church was established. However, documented evidence is sporadic at best as the maronites sources are recent due to their lack of a thorough recorded history beyond the 16th century, leaving the matter open for debate among historians. It was not until the seventeen century that duwayhi, the father of the maronite history, attempted a critical history. The official inauguration took place on june 7, 1937, in the presence of.
There were also favouritism under the ottoman, we all suffered but some had it intentionally worse than others with the maronites getting it the worst. The maronites are an eastern rite of the catholic church. Maronites introduction, location, language, folklore. Maronites encyclopedia volume catholic encyclopedia. Lebanon time line chronological timetable of events. Correspondence concerning the event brought the maronites papal and orthodox recognition, which was solidified by pope hormisdas 514523 on. The maronites and lebanon maronite history is colored with the romance that attaches itself to a struggle of a determined people. The maronites history and constants lebanon postcard.
Historical dictionary of lebanon by asad abukhalil. John maron and enjoyed independence for much of its history, both ecclesiologically and sociopolitically. The church has its origins in modern day syria and was followed by immigration to lebanon. Sarkis elrizzi, a former pupil of the maronite college in rome, and archbishop of damascus, purchased a printing press from an embassy in italy, which he installed in the qozhaya.
But, it is a deeply divided community, with various. It united with rome in 1736, but maintains its own traditions and practices, including a liturgy in the ancient syriac language. Maronite spirituality maronite servants of christ the light. Lebanon is a small middle eastern country which boasts an extensive history and extraordinary landscape. The maronites eventually fled to the hills of mount lebanon to escape persecution by the ottoman turks in the fifteenth century. This is one of 2 maronite churches in south africa, the other being our lady of the cedars. The maronite monks maintain that lebanon is synonymous with maronite history and ethos. On the mountains of lebanon, in this mystical land, in these deep valleys, among these white mountains, in the land of honey and milk, in the nation of the cedar and the alphabet, in the phoenician land, there. This is a timeline of lebanese history, comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events in lebanon and its predecessor states. When the monophysites of antioch slew 350 monks, the maronites sought refuge in the mountains of lebanon.
The maronites and lebanon maronite history is coloured with the romance that attaches itself to a struggle of a determined people. The topic was the subject of salibis phd dissertation at the university of london. The history of lebanon remains culturally and religiously complex, and with this work, lebanon. It served as an economic, social, intellectual, and cultural hub of the arab middle east until 1975, when the city was ravaged by the countrys 15year civil war. Maronites crucial to drama of lebanon christianity today. Traboulsis analysis in4 modern history of lebanon is based on political. Maronite historians of medieval lebanon publication of. Due to migration and those fleeing the lebanese civil war, most maronites today live outside of the region where the church was born and shaped its culture and practice.
Offering a historical perspective on the whole of maronite heritage and culture, moosa sought to tell the relatively unknown story of one branch of the syriac christian tradition. A number of maronite historians claim that the maronites were the descendants of the marada, the original inhabitants of lebanon who refused both byzantine and arab authorities. The reason for their adoption of the name is disputed and historian disagree whether this is attributed to mar maron, a 4th century syriac saint, or to john maron, the first bishop of lebanon. Some maronites argue that they are of mardaite ancestry, though some historians reject this claim. History and constants by antoine khoury harb, a beautifully illustrated book covering the history of the maronite church, from its beginning with the roots of christianity in lebanon through the establishment of the state of greater lebanon into the twentieth century. History of the maronites on the mountains of lebanon, in this mystical land, in these deep valleys, among these white mountains, in the land of honey and milk, in the nation of the cedar and the alphabet, in the phoenician land, there. Antoine harb, the maronites and history constants centre libanis dinformation, 1985, 24, 26, 34.
Akram khater, director, khayrallah center and professor of history at north carolina state university. Originally published in 1986, the maronites in history addressed what author matti moosa identified as a maronite crisis of identity in the lebanese cultural context. Maronites believe that their isolation in mount lebanon contributed to their independent character as a church and as a society, and their identity is consequently identified strongly with the identity of lebanon. Most nations in their history often have to make a choice between confrontation or cooperation and time has shown us that minorities usually pay for their continued existence through deformation of character or out right collaboration. The most reverend francis mansour zayek, a bishop since 1962, was appointed the first exarch in a decree of the sacred congregation for the eastern churches dated january 27. The druzes and the maronites under the turkish rule from 1840 to 1860 by. Why most lebanese history books end at 1943 youtube. Antoine emile khoury harb, fakhreddin ii, maan period, shehab emirate, double district system, mutasarrifiat. The maronites of lebanon it is impossible to discuss the maronite christians without reference to the political scene in lebanon. The maronite uniate church is a national one that, in the main, is limited to lebanon. Home this is a guide to informatuion resources about the lebanese civil war. In this impressive synthesis, william harris narrates the history of the sectarian communities of mount lebanon and its vicinity. Offering a historical perspective on the whole of maronite heritage and culture, moosa sought to tell the relatively unknown story. When this book appeared in 1959, it revolutionized the writing of lebanese history as it offered a revised version of the history of maronites, a christian sect originally following the eastern rite but switching later to follow the roman catholic church.
List of books and articles about lebanese history online research. This early liturgy was ascribed to st james the less, the first bishop of jerusalem, and was enriched by the hymns and prayers of st ephrem, james of sarug and other fathers of the antiochean see. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. The maronites held fast to the beliefs of the council of chalcedon in 451. The great famine of 191518 long forgotten, the great famine on mountain lebanon began 100 years ago this month, claiming half a million lives. The original seat and present home of the nucleus of the maronites is mt lebanon. The maronite liturgy is the original liturgy which developed antioch in aramaic right after the time of the apostles.
Maronites are lebanons largest christian community, with about 600,000 adherents of roughly 1 million christians in the country. Throughout their history, maronites have immigrated to other parts of the world. This book is a major contribution to the social history of modern lebanon. This article will give first the present state of the maronite nation and church. The successive mamluks campaigns against the maronites, who were left without refuge or shelter, were exhausting. In 1989 a national committee was convened in lebanon to write a singular history textbook to be used by all schools.
Since the maronite s history is very intertwined with lebanon, its easier to be justify lebanons interest similar to the maronite s interest. According to the sectarian dispensation of the lebanese constitution, they hold the presidency. When the man nodded yes, the soldier said, then you are a. Jul 11, 2011 by then the maronites had established themselvesa cardinal fact in the history of lebanon, which long remained predominantly christian while syria became muslim. A history, william harris presents the reader with both a blueprint and a roadmap. Harris relates the communities that characterize mount lebanon and its vicinity, while interpreting the evolution of modern lebanon in its multicommunal context. The pontifical university of saint thomas aquinas angelicum roma prepared by. As a result of these campaigns, a lot of maronites fled to the island of cyprus, where there are several maronite villages up until today. More than half of the worlds approximately 3 million maronites live in lebanon, making them that. In the 7th century, due to religious persecution, they. Maron 350410 ad the maronites were named after this priest and hermit who spent his life teaching about the faith and ministering to many people on the banks of the orontes river.
The lebanese maronite order, founded in 1695, was the result of a renewal of monastic life which was the work of three young maronites, gabriel jibrayel hawwa, abdallah qaraali and joseph yusuf albite, all from the city of aleppo. The lebanese are mulicultural and multiracial due to the fact that it is cross road between north africa, middle east or west asia and europe especially southern europe. The maronites have survived the storms of invasion, occupation, repression and suppression for over 1600 years, preserving their religion, traditions and state. Whether you have already traveled to beirut or are still waiting to see where your own story takes you, here are five books that bring the city to life five different perspectives that will make you fall in love with beirut again and again. Various essays on this subject can be found on many websites, but i found them to be emotive and with little basis in fact. Aug 06, 2007 lebanon s maronites make up the largest christian community in the country a community where religion and politics are inextricably mixed. Until recently, the cyprus maronites battle to preserve their ancestral language. Reconstructing the history of the cypriot maronites by. Though concentrated in lebanon, maronites also show presence in the neighboring levant. This short video gives a glance into the maronites history and liturgy. The passionate city of beirut in lebanon, listed among the top 25 cities in the world, holds narratives of love, art, food, and war. Many maronites claim that the modern maronites are of mardaite ancestry, and oral tradition is said to indicate this. Historically centered in lebanon and syria, the maronite church was formed by syriac christians who developed their own hierarchy and traditions from the midfourth century onwards.
Beirut, capital, chief port, and largest city of lebanon. The history of lebanon covers the history of the modern republic of lebanon and the earlier emergence of greater lebanon under the french mandate for syria and the lebanon, as well as the previous history of the region, covered by the modern state. A similar movement in the history of the maronites in lebanon paralleled this development in the early history of the church in jerusalem. The maronites cistercian studies book 243 and millions of other books are available for. Why most lebanese history books end at 1943 voa learning english. The history of the maronite church is rooted in the middle east. It includes information about books, encyclopedias, primary sources and other materials covering different aspects of the war. Early history of the maronites our lady of lebanon church. The church retains the west syrian liturgy and has its own patriarch. A brief history of the maronite church in australia. The druzes and the maronites under the turkish rule from. The history of the maronite church in australia tells of how a people held fast to what was good, working relentlessly for their families in a new land. They are thought to trace their roots back to the 4th century.
Mawarina, a christian people of the ottoman empire in communion with the papal church, but forming a distinct denomination. He offers a fresh perspective on the antecedents of modern multicommunal lebanon, tracing the consolidation of lebanon s christian, muslim, and islamic derived sects from their origins between the sixth and eleventh centuries. The maronite church traces its origins to the fourth century syrian monk saint maron, who sought refuge in north lebanon s qadisha valley after fleeing persecution. The maronites in history is a scholarly work which is also easily accessible to the interested nonspecialist. The content matches most of history books written by different historians of this era but, may be, with different. But often there is tension, and sometimes violence.
Taking refuge in small, isolated communities, the maronites became clannish and fiercely selfprotective. The khazin sheiks and the maronite church ottoman empire and its heritage. In part two, i discuss these, and in part three i answer matti moosas arguments in his book, the maronites in history. Wither wellwritten prose and clear evidence, the author enables readers to navigate and unlock the labyrinth of lebanese history its people and its culture. The remarkable nature of their history lies hand in hand with that of lebanon, for centuries being their retreat and fortress. Lebanon has been influenced by all mediterranean empires. Pdf the maronite church as a minority researchgate. Pope paul vi, with the apostolic constitution cum supremi of january 10, 1966, established the maronite apostolic esarchate for the maronite faithful of the united states. History of the lebanese maronite order, father karam rizk. It is also a fine model for history writers, written by one of the most eminent and innovative scholars of middle eastern history and cultures.
The recent history of lebanon illustrates both the consequences of those historical processes that locate politics in sectarianism and the impact of western colonialism and international power struggles on local politics. The maronites in history by matti moosa, hardcover. It is located on the mediterranean coast at the foot of the lebanon mountains. The maronites set out for foreign parts and in doing so spread the message of st maron throughout the world. Maronite church, eastern rite church prominent especially in modern lebanon. A brief history of the maronites maronite foundation. The maronites also experienced mass persecution under the ottoman turks, who massacred and mistreated maronites for their faith, disallowing them from. It is a tale of how simple christians laity and clergy alike have remembered and helped each other. The relation of the maronites of lebanon to the mardaites and aljarajima. List of books and articles about lebanese history online. Traditionally maronites sit at the top table of power. As the arab muslims conquered the region, the maronites held.
See also the list of presidents of lebanon and list of prime ministers of lebanon. The mission in south africa began in the 19th century when lebanese maronites began immigrating from becharre, deir elahmar, miziara, maghdouche and other places in lebanon for the mining boom. There are very few books written about lebanon s maronites but i believe i have found a well written and well researched one in moosas original syracuse university press publication the maronites in history. Only aleppo, however, and sometimes nicosia and damascus, had resident bishopsa surviving memory of numerous preislamic eparchies of the maronites.
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