Maronites

The Maronites are a Christian community primarily associated with the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See. They trace their tradition to Saint Maron, a 4th-century monk who lived in the Levant, and their communities formed in what is now Lebanon and surrounding regions, preserving a distinctive liturgical and spiritual heritage within the broader Syriac Christian tradition.

The Maronite Church follows the West Syriac liturgical tradition, often referred to as the Maronite Rite. Liturgy is traditionally conducted in Syriac and Arabic, with local languages used in modern practice. The church is self-governing under a patriarch and a synod, endowed with its own hierarchy and canon law, while recognizing the pope and maintaining full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. The patriarchate has its historic seat in Lebanon, traditionally at Bkerké near Beirut, and the church operates within a framework of Eastern Catholic governance.

Geographically, Maronites are concentrated in Lebanon, with sizable communities in Syria, Cyprus, and the wider Levant. A large global diaspora exists across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and parts of the Gulf, reflecting waves of migration and settlement in pursuit of education, economic opportunity, and religious life. In Lebanon, Maronites have played a prominent role in national history, culture, and politics, while maintaining a network of churches, schools, charities, and religious institutions.

In contemporary times, the Maronite Church emphasizes parish life, catechesis, and charitable works, preserving a distinct liturgical and devotional heritage within the Catholic Church. The Maronite Church is one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches and contributes to the diversity of Eastern Christian traditions within global Catholic unity.