Maron facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Maron
19th-century depiction of Saint Maron
Born	Unknown Syria Prima (modern Syria)
Died	410 AD Kalota, Syria Prima
Venerated in	Catholic Church (especially Maronite Church) Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast	February 14 (Eastern Orthodox Church) February 9 (Maronite Church)

Maron, also known as Maroun or Maro, was a Christian hermit and monk who lived in the Taurus Mountains around the 4th century. After his death, his followers started a Christian movement. This movement grew into the Syriac Maronite Church, which is part of the Catholic Church. The people who follow this church today are called Maronites.

Saint Maron is often shown wearing a black monk's robe with a special cloth called a stole. He also carries a long staff with a cross on top. His special day, called a feast day, is celebrated on February 9 in the Maronite Church.

The Life of Saint Maron

Maron was born in what is now modern Syria in the mid-300s. He was a priest who later chose to live as a hermit. He moved to the Taurus Mountains, near a city called Antioch.

His holy life and the miracles he performed made him well-known. Many people were drawn to him. Even John Chrysostom, an important Christian leader, wrote to Maron around the year 405 AD. He showed great respect and asked Maron to pray for him. Maron and Chrysostom might have studied together in Antioch. Antioch was a major center for Christian learning and one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire.

Maron chose a quiet life alone in the mountains. He was known for his simple ways. He had a strong desire to find God's presence in everything around him. He is seen as the founder of the spiritual movement that became the Maronite Church.

Saint Maron's Unique Spirituality

Maron's way of life was deeply spiritual and focused on prayer. He believed that everything was connected to God. He didn't separate the physical world from the spiritual world. Instead, he used the physical world to grow closer to God.

Through his strong passion for prayer, he felt free from worldly things. This helped him enter a special, loving relationship with God.

He lived outdoors, next to a temple he had turned into a church. He spent his time praying and meditating. He was exposed to the sun, rain, hail, and snow. Theodoret of Cyrrhus, a historian, wrote about Maron's new way of living. This type of spiritual practice soon became popular in Syria and Lebanon. Theodoret mentioned many men and women who followed this path. Many of them were guided by Maron himself.

Saint Maron's Missionary Work

Saint Maron was a mystic who started a new spiritual method. Many people in Syria and Lebanon became his followers. Along with his deep spiritual life, he was also a dedicated missionary. He loved spreading the message of Christ to everyone he met. He not only helped people with their physical problems, but he also wanted to heal the "lost souls" of both non-Christians and Christians.

His missionary work had a big impact. In the mountains of Syria, Saint Maron turned a temple into a Christian church in Kafr Nabu. This was an important step in spreading Christianity in Syria. From there, it influenced and spread to Lebanon. Saint Maron died in 410 AD in Kalota. His spirit and teachings continued through his disciples.

The exact place where he was buried is still debated. Some believe he was buried in Arethusa (modern-day al-Rastan) in Syria. Others claim he is buried in Brad village, north of Aleppo.

The Maronite movement reached Lebanon through Saint Maron's first disciple, Abraham of Cyrrhus. Abraham, known as the Apostle of Lebanon, saw that many people in Lebanon were not Christians. He set out to convert them by teaching them Saint Maron's way of life.

A historian named William of Tyre wrote about the Maronites during the Crusades. He said they were named after a "Maro" and followed his beliefs for a long time. He mistakenly thought they had different beliefs, but Maronite historians say they have always been in full connection with the Catholic Church in Rome. Saint Maron's feast day is celebrated on February 9.

Honoring Saint Maron

Saint Maron was known for his special ability to heal people.

Who Saint Maron Protects

Saint Maron is considered the patron saint of:

• The Maronites and the Syriac Maronite Church.
• The town of Volperino in Italy. His special items, called relics, were kept there for a long time.
• The Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn (a type of diocese).
• The Eparchy of Saint Maron of Canada - Montréal, Canada. Official Website: http://www.cathedralestmaron.org/
• The Eparchy of Saint Maron of Australia.

Special Recognitions

On February 23, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI revealed a statue of Saint Maron. It is on the outside wall of Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The Pope also gave his special blessing. The Maronite Church asked Spanish artist Marco Augusto Dueñas to create the 15-foot-tall statue. In the sculpture, Saint Maron holds a small Maronite-style church. There is also a message in Syriac that says: The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. This statue filled the last empty space on the outside of Saint Peter's Basilica.

In June 2012, an impressionist painting of Saint Maron was given to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.. Several icons were also donated. These icons were based on images from an old 5th-century Syriac book called the Rabboula manuscript. They included the Crucifixion, the Marian icon of the "Mother of Light," and the Evangelists. Cardinal Donald Wuerl attended the installation. The artwork was officially dedicated on September 23, 2012.

See also

In Spanish: Marón de Líbano para niños

• James the Solitary
• Syriac Maronite Church
• 5th century in Lebanon