The Maronite Church
Who are the Maronites?
The Maronite Syriac Church of Antioch
Patriarch: His Beatitude Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi (since 2011)
Headquarters: Bkerke, Lebanon
Liturgical Rite: West Syriac (Antiochene)
Language of Liturgy: Syriac (Aramaic) and other vernacular languages
Affiliation: One of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, in full communion with the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church
Key Features
Unity with Rome: The Maronite Church has always remained in full communion with the Pope. It never formally broke from Rome during the schisms that affected many Eastern churches.
Liturgical Tradition: The Maronite Divine Liturgy (called the Qurbono) is deeply symbolic, reverent, and rooted in the Syriac tradition. It preserves parts of the liturgy in Syro-Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus.
Spirituality: Strong emphasis on asceticism, monasticism, devotion to the Eucharist, the Virgin Mary, and veneration of Maronite saints, especially Saint Sharbel, Saint Rafqa, Saint Nimatullah Hardini, and the Massabki Brothers
Identity: While being fully Catholic, the Maronite Church has its own patriarch, canon law, liturgical calendar, and traditions. Its clergy can be celibate or married, although bishops must be celibate.
Geographic Presence
Lebanon: The heartland and historical base of the Maronite Church. The Maronites played a key role in the history and politics of modern Lebanon.
Diaspora: Large Maronite communities exist in Brazil, the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and across the Middle East due to emigration.
Modern Role
The Maronite Church is a vital spiritual and cultural force in Lebanon. It promotes interreligious dialogue, peace, and the preservation of Christian presence in the Middle East. The Church also plays an active role in global Catholic life through its patriarchal leadership and active diaspora communities.
The Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon
The Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles is an Eastern-Catholic Maronite Diocese that is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and serves Maronite Catholics from California to Ohio. The bishop of the Eparchy is Most Reverend A. Elias Zaidan.
The Eparchy was formed officially in March 1, 1994, transitioning from the original Eparchy of St. Maron in Brooklyn, New York, which originally served the Maronites of the entire United States.
The Maronite Church has ancient roots going back to the Apostles through the Patriarchate of Antioch where “we were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:26) Today our Patriarch resides in Lebanon.