St Maron’s Day
St. Maron’s Day is a holiday that’s observed annually in Lebanon and it’s observed on the 9th of February. This feast day is an important holiday for Maronite Christians in Lebanon—which is a religious sub-group that makes up almost a quarter of the population in this country.
Lebanon (Public holiday)Saint Maron was a Syrian Christian hermit monk who lived in the Taurus Mountains and whose followers would go on and found the Syriac Maronite Church. This church would found the modern religious movement known as the Maronites.
The History Of St. Maron’s Day
Very little is known about where St. Maron was born or his early years as a child. It’s believed that he was born in what is now known as Syria sometime during the middle of the 4th century.
He was a priest that would become a monk and then later would become a hermit living in the Taurus Mountains near Antioch. His miracles attracted followers from all across the ancient world. His counsel was a light to not only his followers but also to many Christians in the area.
Sometime around 423, Maron would die and riots would end up breaking out because Christians all wanted to intern his remains at their village. The Maronite Church that was founded after his death would celebrate his feast on January 5th, but that was later changed to February 9th during the 17th century. It’s been celebrated on this day ever since.
Observing St. Maron’s Day
In Lebanon, St. Maron’s Day is observed with the Maronite Liturgy—a religious service that is a blend of Catholicism, Arabic music, and singing in a mishmash of Syrian and Aramaic—the language spoken by Jesus. Some people also fast on this day or do works of charity. This is a feast day for St. Maron and is treated with the utmost reverence.
Lebanon (Public holiday)
