Today we celebrate our Venerable Father Maron of Syria. Saint Maron was a great ascetic who lived his life in ascesis and prayer. He spent almost all his time beneath the open sky in prayer, vigil, ascetical works and strict fasting. He obtained from God the gift of healing the sick and casting out demons. He counselled those who turned to him for advice to be temperate, to be concerned for their salvation, and to guard against avarice and anger. Saint Maron, a friend of Saint John Chrysostom, died before 423 at an advanced age. Some of Saint Maron’s disciples were James the Hermit, Limnius, and Domnina. He founded many monasteries around Cyrrhus, and converted a pagan temple near Antioch into a Christian church. It is this Saint Maron that the Maronite Christians trace back their origins - although originally part of the Eastern Orthodox Church, they are now under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church. May he intercede for us all + #saint #maroun #maron #maroon #syria #ascetic #ascesis #prayer #monk #holy #father #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Beqaa Valley, Lebanon) https://www.instagram.com/p/ConOIFNLwA3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
