St Maron’s Day in Lebanon ― Date, History, and Details
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History of St Maron’s Day in Lebanon and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
St. Maron’s Day is celebrated on February 9th in Lebanon. It is a national holiday that commemorates the life and work of St. Maron, the patron saint of the Maronite Catholic Church.
St. Maron was born in Syria in the 4th century and became a monk at an early age. He lived a hermit’s life in the mountains near Antioch, where he attracted a large number of followers. After his death in 410, his followers built a monastery in his honor near his hermitage.
The Maronite Church considers St. Maron to be its founder and celebrates his feast day with great pomp and circumstance. In Lebanon, St. Maron’s Day is a national holiday and many businesses and schools are closed for the day.
The Maronite Patriarchal See is located in Bkerke, north of Beirut, and the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Maron is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Maronites. Every year on St. Maron’s Day, the Maronite Patriarch conducts a special mass at the cathedral and many faithful come from all over Lebanon and the world to attend.
In addition to the religious celebrations, St. Maron’s Day is also a time for cultural festivities. The day is often marked with parades, concerts, and other public events.