Maronite Church
Maronite Church
The Maronites began in the East in an area which today includes the countries of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The Maronite Church dates back to the early Christians of Antioch.They spoke Aramaic, the same language spoken by Jesus. Maronites share the same historical, liturgical and spiritual heritage with all the other Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Maronite Church started with a monk by the name of St. Maron. St Maron was born in the middle of the fourth century, St. Maron was a man who lived in solitude. He attracted many followers due to his holiness and miracles. After his death around the year 410, his disciples built a large monastery in his honour. The followers of St. Maron, both monks and laity, were always faithful to the teaching of the Pope. Through this the Maronite Church was created. The Maronites cemented their faith as there were a lot of martyrdoms through the persecutions of the Maronites. The Maronites profess the same Apostolic Faith, celebrate the same Sacraments and are united with the Pope like Roman Catholics throughout the world. Although the Maronites have their own distinct theology, spirituality, liturgy and code of canon law. The Maronites are Uniate Catholics. They recognise the Pope as the leader, but they have their own form of worship. Their priests can marry, but they cannot be ordained to Bishops and the monks and nuns are housed in the same building. The Maronites have continued to use the Syriac language for their liturgy instead of Latin Also the Maronite Church have a similar belief to those of the Orthodox Church. They believe that Christ has two natures one divine and one human. The Antioch Liturgy is still present in the Maronite Church except it is mixed with a little bit of the ancient liturgy of the Old Testament. For example during the “Consecration, the priest tips the chalice in all four directions, symbolising that Christ shed his blood for the entire Universe, which mirrors the tradition of sprinkling the four corners of the altar with the blood of the sacrificial lamb.” |
Mark Alberga
References
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