Saint John Maron, also known as John the Sarumite, was born in the 7th century in Sarum, the son of Agathon, the governor of Sarum, and Anohamia. He was also the grandson of Prince Alidipas and a member of the Frankish royal family which governed Antioch. From a young age, John received an excellent education, studying various subjects including mathematics, sciences, philosophy, theology, linguistics, and scripture. He was particularly influenced by his time spent at the monastery of Saint Maron, where he became a monk and added the name "Maron" to his own. After completing his studies, John went to Constantinople to further his education in Greek and patrology. Upon his return to Saint Maron's monastery, he dedicated himself to writing on a wide range of topics, including teaching, rhetoric, the sacraments, management of Church property, legislative techniques, and liturgy. He is particularly known for composing the Eucharistic Prayer, which still bears his name. John Maron was not only a scholar, but also a renowned teacher and preacher. He played a key role in explaining Catholic dogma to the Council of Chalcedon and wrote a series of letters to the faithful, defending against the heresies of Monophysitism and Monothelitism. Recognizing his deep faith and leadership qualities, John was appointed as a bishop in 676 and was assigned to Mount Lebanon, a region facing invasion by the Arabs. During this challenging period, John's travels took him to areas affected by combat. He tirelessly preached, celebrated Mass, tended to the sick, and sheltered the homeless. It was during this time that he was blessed with the gift of healing. Through his prayers, he cured countless individuals. John Maron was the spiritual leader of the Maronite community, a group predominantly comprised of the Maradite army known as the "Brass Wall." The Maronites played a crucial role in defending Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire from Arab expansion. In 685, the Maradites used their influence to elect John Maron, one of their own, as the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. Pope Saint Sergius I approved his appointment, and John became the first Maronite Patriarch of the oldest see in Christianity. However, the Byzantine emperor Justinian II felt threatened by the growing power of the Maradite army and was angered by not having been consulted on the appointment of John as Patriarch. He mobilized his forces to defeat the Maradites and capture John. In the ensuing battles, the Maradites were defeated, Antioch was overrun, and the monastery there was destroyed, resulting in the death of 500 monks. Thankfully, John managed to escape to Lebanon. When Justinian's army pursued John, the Maradites, under the leadership of John's nephew Ibrahim, achieved a decisive victory, forcing the enemy to retreat empty-handed. Following this, John established the monastery of Reesh Moran (head of our Lord) in Kefer-Hay, Lebanon, and moved his see to Mount Lebanon. The Maradites, whilst remaining part of the Catholic Church, developed their own national and religious identity, with John Maron recognized as one of their great founders. Throughout his life, John Maron displayed unwavering dedication to his faith, his community, and his people. He provided spiritual guidance, protected the Church from heresy, offered comfort to the afflicted, and defended his flock against external threats. Saint John Maron died in 707 at Kefer-Hay, Lebanon of natural causes. He was buried in the Reesh Moran monastery. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, although his canonization took place before the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. His feast day is celebrated on March 2nd.
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