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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) al-Bite, all from the city of Aleppo. They belonged to leading Maronite families with a reputation for piety. Having felt a call to the monastic life, they discussed the matter among themselves and then with their close relatives, who in order to reduce the risk of failure suggested that they should go to Lebanon in the guise of pilgrims or merchants. This they finally did.
As soon as they reached the Monastery of Our Lady of Qannubin, which since the year 1440 had been the seat of the Maronite Patriarchate, they presented themselves to Patriarch Stephen (Estefan) Dweihy (1670-1704) and disclosed to him the secret of their religious call. He questioned them closely, insisting on the austerity of the monastic life followed in places that had little to offer in the way of resources or safety from danger, whereas they themselves had grown up in a social class enjoying some ease and prosperity. The young men, however, told the Patriarch of their firm convictions and their strong belief in their vocation. His Beatitude thereupon gave his blessing and encouragement to their initiative and, on August 1, 1695, even went so far as to offer them the Monastery of Saint Maura (Mart Moura), at Ehden. This marked the very beginning of the Order.
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The Valley of Qannubin
The Monastery of Our Lady of Qannubin, deep down in the Holy Valley, continues to tell the story of a people, of its monks and of its patriarchs, who with unswerving faith challenged the impossible in pursuing their mission.
Their story and their image live in the heart of every Lebanese monk, together with the memory of the founders of the Order, in particular Patriarch Stephen (Estefan) Dweihy, who nurtured the Order in its infancy, giving it his protection and care. |
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