The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-27

THE MARoNITEs. fifty years after
the birth of MOhammed, and before the re-
formed religion taught by him had made
any progress beyond the immediate neigh
borhood of Medina and Mecca, or the con-
fines of Arabia, one of those Christians who
had retired into a cave in North Syria, in
order to pursue his studies and meditations
uninterrnptedly, made himself remarkable
by the peculiar sanctity of his life, and the
unusual depth of wisdom that fell from his
lips. This man was called Hanna 1.-THE
Arabic of John) Maroun. The cave where
he dwelt was close to one Of the chief sources
of the Orontes, the Ain or spring mentioned
in Numb xxxiv. IL.
About this time, the quarrels between
COnstantinople and Rome, for the spiritual
jurisdiction of Tho Christians in Syria,
broke forth, and emissaries from each were
spread through the country, for the purpose
of influencing the people.
Hanna Maronn was at once elected by the
united voices OF the mountaineers rs their
adviser and leader. He Immediately de-
ciared himself for the Latins, acknowledges
the Pope as his spiritual master, and mt
himself at the head of n large body of fol-
lowers.
The tenets of the Maronites arc simn,v
those of Rome-their colleges and schools
being presided over by teachers and priests
sent from that city; they submitted more
entirely to the Pope in lISO, giving up at
that time the MonOphysitism, which had
till then tinged their tenets, and obtaining
in return the immense concession of retain
ing many of their own peculiar customs.
They have very large number of monks.
VINO, of course, take vows of celibacy and
poverty; but the parish priest are almost
always married: the people communicates
in both kinds, and their service is con-
Quoted in Syriac-a language till lately well
understood by them, but now entirely dis
used, since only three villages are existing
where Syriac is still spOken-the Gospels
and other parts are read also in Arabic.
There are between ninety and one hun
dred converts, containing about one thou
sand five hundred monks and five or six
hundred nuns. The number of the Maroon
lite population is differently stated, but is
most probably about two hundred and
thirty three thousand souls. There are
large numbers of them at Aleppo, Tripoii,
Beyrout, and saida, but they may be said
chiefly to inhabit the Lebanon, the Kes.
rouan district of which is almost entirely
occupied, by them. The principal number
of their converts are placed there and about
the cedars; aud in the Kesrouan they have
their great priests college of Antourah.
Hanna Maroun died A. ID. 7OI, and was
buried at Hannah his tomb becoming at
once, and for very long time after,
place of pilgrimage to both parties among
the mountaineers. His remains were be-
lieved to perform miracles, and were visited
by pilgrims from even Egypt and all parts
of Turkey.
A convent was soon founded beside the
tomb, the monks excavating cells in tho
living rock for themselves, and building up
loop hoied walls overhanging the ravine
below, as in the converts of Mar Antoun
and Khanobin. To this convent the Pope
sent present of fine library.
Between these Maronites and the Druses.
formidable Turkish tribe i'll the Lebanon.
almost constant war exists, and the Maroon
ties would have been crushed but for the
protection Of France.