Maronite History
The first Maronites were descendants of the people who had received their faith from the apostle, Peter. They originated as an ecclesiastical grouping of Christians who assembled around the hermit monk Maron about the year 400 A.D. on the mountain slopes of Cry, near Antioch, Syria. Born in the late fourth century, Maron became a priest and then a hermit, retiring to a mountain of Taurus near Antioch above the banks of the Orontes River. Maron’s life was one of piety and dedication to the simple life of prayer and meditation; his holiness attracted many persons to join him and to convert others to Christianity through the spreading of the Gospel. He converted an old pagan temple along the Orontes river into a monastery. Here, many disciples gathered around him and followed his rule. Some became monks and hermits themselves, while others spread the teachings of Christ, as missionaries, through Central and North Syria. Much of the details of the life of St. Maron have been lost, but it is known that he performed many miracles of healing, as attested by his historian, Theodoret, the Bishop of Cyr. After Maron’s death in the year 410 A.D., his disciples saved his remains and in spite of strong persecution, his tomb became a place of religious pilgrimage. St. John Maron, the first Patriarch of the Maronite people, was a monk of the monastery of St. Maron, who was elected by the religious community to secure the Apostolic succession to the See of Antioch. Accordingly, the Maronite Patriarchate was initiated by the election of John Maron in 686 A.D. and has continued, since his death in 707 A.D., to the present time. A total of 70 Patriarchs to the present successor, Paul Peter Cardinal Meouchi, Patriarch of Antioch and the Entire East. Late in the seventh century, due to religious persecution and heresy, the Maronite monks became obliged to seek refuge in Lebanon, where St. Maron’s relics were transferred to the Patriarchal residence in Kafarhai. In the year 1130, they were removed to Foligno, Italy, and placed in the Cathedral there.
The Maronites have, over the centuries, preserved the teachings of the Catholic Church intact, without any blemish, schism or heretical branch. Many have died for their faith. Popes have repeatedly praised their loyalty to they Holy See.
The Maronite liturgy is one of the oldest of the Catholic Church, and the only Rite known by the name of its leader. The liturgy, itself, is known as the Syriac liturgy of Antioch, ascribed to St. James the Less, Apostle and first Bishop of Jerusalem. The liturgical language used in the Maronite Mass is the Syriac-Aramaic, that was spoken by Christ.
History of Saint Maron Church Cleveland, Ohio
2024 Ground breaking in Independence for new enclosed pavilion.
2024 Fatther Alejandro Landin assigned Assistant priest.
2024 Father Patrick Kassab assigned as new pastor of Saint Maron Parish.
2024 Father Elias Yazbeck re-assigned to Birmingham, Al.
2019 Father Elias Yazbeck appointed Administrator of Saint Maron parish.
2019 Bishop Peter Karam appointed to Curial Bishop of Antiochia, lebanon
2015 Saint Maron Centenial celebration.
2010 Chapel in independence is renovated and becomes a regular part of Saint Maron liturgies.
2007 26 Acre property purchased in Independence, Ohio.
2005 Father Peter Karam becomes the new pastor.
2005 Chorbishop Bernard Khachan retires after serving as pastor for 18 years.
2004 Bishop Shaheen appoints Father Charles Khachan as Associate Pastor
2000 Saint Maron Cleveland hosts the Midwest Regional NAM Convention
1999 The Church was still too small to accommodate the large number of parishioners. With Chor Bishop Khachan’s Guidance, the Church was enlarged, with a new section added to the east side of the Church.
1998 Due to the new, neighboring baseball field, limited parking was available for parishioners. To accommodate this need, the social hall was torn down, and a new two-story parking garage was erected in its place.
1997 A new addition to the west side of the church was opened to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners.
1996 New church council was elected, and a social committee was formed to organize the social activities of the church.
1995 Monsignor Bernard Khachan was elevated to the rank of Chor-Bishop by his excellency Bishop John Chedid .
1994 St Maron parish became part of the newly formed Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles under the guidance of Bishop John Chedid.
1990 Celebration of the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of St. Maron Parish
1988 Fr. Khachan was given the title of “Monsignor” at the request of Archbishop Francis M. Zayek.
1987 Fr. Bernard Khachan became Pastor of St. Maron Parish
1987 Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Immaculate conception Sodality
1987 George Khoury, son of the late Michael and Zahida Khoury, was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate
1987 Celebration of Silver Anniversary of Ordination of Chor-Bishop Dominic Ashkar
1986 Celebration of the Silver Anniversary of Bishop Francis M. Zayek as Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of the United States. Guest speakers: Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, Archbishop Pio Laghi (Apostolic Pro Nuncio), and Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar
1986Chor-Bishop Dominic Ashkar became Pastor of St. Maron Parish
1984 Fr. James Root was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Francis M. Zayek
1984 St. Maron hosted the N.A.M. (National Association of Maronites) Convention
1983 James Root, son of Peter and the late Mary Root, received the sacred order of diaconate
1983 Completion of the Administration Building
1983 Twentieth Anniversary of Archbishop Francis M. Zayek as Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of the United States. Guest Speaker: Bishop Anthony M. Pilla
1982 Celebration of the elevation of Bishop Francis M. Zayek to Archbishop
1981 Second renovation of the church
1978 Fr. Elias Abi-Sarkis became Pastor of St. Maron Parish
1977 William Bartoul, son of Millet and Eunice Bartoul, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Francis M. Zayek
1976 Celebration of Msgr. El- Hayek’s Silver Anniversary of Ordination
1976 Silver Anniversary of Chor-Bishop Feghali’s service as Pastor of St. Maron, and Farewell dinner prior to his departure to a new assignment as Rector of St. Maron Cathedral, Detroit, Michigan.
1975 Msgr. Elias El-Hayek became pastor of St. Maron Parish
1974 James Peters, son of the late Phillip and Theresa Peters, was ordained Sub- Deacon
1974 Return visit of Dr. Charles H. Malik for “Day of Prayer for World Peace”
1973 Feast Day Celebration – Guest of Honor: Guest of Honor: Most Reverend John Cardinal Krol, Archbishop of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1971 On the Silver Anniversary of his ordination, Msgr. Joseph Feghali was elevated to the rank of Chor-Bishop; Feast Day Celebration – Guest of Honor: The Honorable Talcott W. Seelye, U.S. State Department Director for Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria
1970 Feast Day Celebration – Guest of Honor: Most Reverend Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
1969 Feast Day Celebration – Guest of Honor: Most Reverend John Cardinal Deardon, Archbishop of the Diocese of Detroit, Michigan; also present, Most Reverend Luigi Ramondi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States
1968 Testimonial Banquet in honor of Bishop Clarence G. Issenmann on the occasion of his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland
1967 Celebration for Bishop Francis M. Zayek on the occasion of his appointment as the first Maronite Apostolic Exarch for the Unites States; Toastmaster for the Banquet was Danny Thomas
1965 Golden Jubilee of St. Maron church; Guest Speakers at Banquet: Archbishop Edward F. Hoban and Honorable Ibraham Ahdab, Ambassador of Lebanon to the United States
1963 Feast Day Celebration – Testimonial Dinner in honor of Auxiliary Bishop Clarence E. Elwell
1962 Visit from Maronite Patriarch Paul Meouchi from Lebanon; he was accompanied by Bishop Anthony Khoriache; a three day celebration was held; St. Maron parishioners joined the Italian community and A.C.I.M. (American Committee of Italian Migration) in honoring Mayor Anthony J. Celebrezze at a Banquet at the Carter Hotel
1961 Testimonial and Farewell Dinner for Most Rev. John J. Krol, on the occasion of his appointment as Archbishop of Philadelphia
1960 Feast Day Celebration – Honorable Dr. Charles Malik, President of the United Nations Assembly was Guest of Honor
1957 Fr. Joseph Feghali received the title of “Very Reverend Monsignor” from Rome at the request of Archbishop Hoban
1955 Bishop Edward F. Hoban consecrated three new altars, as well as windows and paintings donated by parishioners after the renovation of the church
1953 Fr. Joseph Feghali became Pastor of St. Maron Parish
1952 Golden Jubilee of Ordination for Fr. Joseph Komaid, and Twenty-fifth Anniversary of his tenure as Pastor; also, date of his untimely death
1951 Fr. Joseph Feghali, born in Hazmieh, Lebanon, arrived in the United States to become assistant to Fr. Joseph Kommaid
1951 Construction of new rectory completed; Old church was sold.
1940 Solemnities of transfer by Archbishop Schrembs; Celebration at Carter Hotel; Saloum Mokarzel, Editor of Al-Hoda, Arabic newspaper, was Guest Speaker
1939 We acquired possession of St. Anthony church, 1245 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland
1927 Fr. Joseph Komaid, a Chrimean Missionary born in Sahel Alma, Lebanon, was asked by Archbishop Schrembs to become Pastor of St. Maron Parish
1925 Msgr. Namthallah Beggiani, from the village of Beit Chebab, became our fourth Pastor until his death, two years later, at the age of forty-nine
1924 Fr. Anthony Yezbek became pastor for one year, was then transferred to St. Maron Parish, Youngstown, Ohio
1921 Msgr. Louis Zouain, from Ghazeer, Lebanon, replaced Fr. Chalala
1916 Bishop John P. Farrelly consecrated our first church
1915 Two story apartment purchased an remodeled into Church and Rectory; Fr. Peter Chalala arrived from Baalbek, Lebanon, to be our first Pastor
Did you know?
1) The Maronites are in full communion with the Catholic Church, meaning we are 100% Catholic, united with the Pope and following the teachings of the universal Church.
2) The Maronite Church dates back over 1,500 years, tracing its roots to St. Maron, a monk whose spirituality shaped the identity of our Church. In fact, we are the only Catholic Church named after a saint. We carry forward his legacy of deep faith, devotion, and monastic tradition.
3) St. Maron lived as a hermit in the 4th century in what is now modern-day Syria, dedicating his life to prayer, asceticism, and healing. After his passing, his disciples spread his teachings, forming a monastic community that became the foundation of the Maronite Church. This community, rooted in the mountains of Lebanon and the region, upheld the teachings of St. Maron, maintaining a deep connection to the Syriac liturgical tradition.
4) Our liturgies are still deeply connected to the Syriac language, the language spoken by Jesus, and reflect the spirituality of the early Church Fathers who helped shape our faith.
5) Maronites became formally united with the Catholic Church in the 12th century, but we’ve always been part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church from the beginning.
So, what sets the Maronite Church apart from other Catholic rites? While we share the same beliefs, sacraments, and devotion to the Pope, our liturgy, prayers, and customs reflect our unique Eastern Christian heritage, deeply influenced by the spirituality of the early Syriac Church and the life of St. Maron.
Let’s remember that being Maronite is a special gift, a calling that brings the richness of our faith into the broader Catholic family. It’s our responsibility to preserve this identity and pass it on to future generations, no matter where we live.
If you’ve felt distant from your Maronite roots, now is the time to reconnect! Find a Maronite parish near you and rediscover the richness of our heritage. Together, let’s keep our faith and traditions alive.
Reflections on being Maronite Catholic
Saint Maron Cleveland, Oh
Saint Maron Church Cleveland, Ohio
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