The Maronites area “Universal Community of faith having a distinct tradition, to which various nations and peoples have been converted to and nurtured by its teaching which is of Jesus Christ”. They follow the Antiochene West Syriac tradition; and the spirit, directives & regulations of the Maronite Patriarchate.
It has its own specifics:
5- Culture:
It is the “integration of 3 traditions:
a- Antioch:
A center of Commerce & Communication in west Syria of Greek & Syriac influence. It gave the Maronite Church its biblical theology & use of the literal sense of scripture.
b- Edessa:
A prominent city, where St Ephrem lived, in ancient Mesopotamia of semitic culture & Syriac poetry. Both influenced the paper & hymnody of the Maronite Church.
c- Mount Lebanon:
A region in the Middle East of Lebanese culture and tradition. It provided a heaven for the Maronite monastic life, worship & traditions begun by St Maron.
The Maronites are not a closed political or social or intellectual entity, they are an open circle Church, where everyone, Maronite or non-Maronite, from any nation, denomination, color or race is welcome to participate as long as this participation doesn’t conflict with the principles and belies cited above.
The Maronites are Catholics of many nations and diverse cultures. Presently, the mother Church is in Lebanon, and daughter Communities exist in every nation of the world, to which they adjust culturally & socially. Often the sons and daughters of St Maron are referred to as Beit Maroun, “the house of Maron”.
