Lebanese Maronite Order

The Lebanese Maronite Order (lat.: Ordo Libanensis Maronitarum, also known as Baladiten or Valaditen, religious symbol: OLM ) is a monastic order of the Maronite Church. The name " Baladiten " is derived from the Arabic " baladiyah " from (Arabic: الرهبنة البلدية ) and means something like land monks.

History

The Order was founded in 1694 by the three Maronite men Gabriel ( Jibrayel ) Hawwa, Abdallah Qaraali and Joseph ( Yusuf ) al -Bite, who came from Aleppo, brought to life in the monastery Mart Mura, Ehden in Lebanon. The small congregation was under the patronage of the Patriarch Estephane Douaihi (1670-1704), who gave his episcopal approval on August 1, 1695. They lived and worked now according to the rules of St.. Anthony the Great. Already in 1696 the young congregation moved into the monastery of Saint Elisha Bcharre. 1772 was the papal approbation by Pope Clement XIV

In the 18th century, the Congregation spread over all of Lebanon, she founded several monasteries, to the now famous monastery is one of the Antonius Monastery Quzhaya. But even beyond the borders of Lebanon established the monks in Cyprus, Rome, Sidon and Tripoli mission stations.

After the founding years and the large development, the religious community dedicated to the 19th century, the internal organization. They created educational institutions for the Order and promoted the Order members through spiritual and liturgical formation. They do not neglected their spiritual and ascetic practices and brought in the following years produced outstanding personalities. To, from the ranks of the Order, Blessed and canonized include Scharbel Machluf, Rebecca Ar Rayes and Nimatullah al - Hardini. The Theological Institute of the Maronite Order was founded in 1961 appointed to the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

After each completed World Wars, pastoral care and the physical support of the needy was a priority. The developed around 1950 emigration of many Lebanese Christians had the consequence that the monks followed them. They established institutions and convents in Senegal, Argentina, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mexico, Australia, Canada, England, France, Venezuela, and ultimately in Belgium.

Religious divisions

From the main trunk of the Lebanese Maronite Order were formed in 1770, with the approval of Clement XIV, and later the Congregations " Mariamitischer Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary ", " The Maronite Antonians " and the " Congregation of the Lebanese Maronite Missionaries ".

Self-understanding

In its constitution, the Maronite Order members have stated that they want to meet in the spirit of the Syrian Maronite Church of Antioch in the monastic tradition of their order. Your order is based on the community life, the life of prayer, silence and ascetic practices. In addition, the order is also involved in apostolic work, the monastery as a reference point, is in keeping with the history and the needs of the Church, considered. (Excerpt from Constitution Article 1.3 )

Patron Saint

On January 17, the feast of Anthony is celebrated particularly in Antony Monastery of Qozhaya. Many pilgrims come to visit the Holy Antonius hard and fair. All participants will be fed by the monks. Among the pilgrims and many monks come from the monasteries of the Baladiten, because Anthony is Great ( Antonius el Kabir ) is also the patron saint of the Order. On the day many Order members to renew their vows.

Organization

The Maronite Order has claims to have 225 male and 225 female members of the Order who are active in a total of 80 monasteries and institutions. The General House has its headquarters in Ghazir. Since 2011, Tannous is Open to the Superior General of the Order. Currently, are provided for the Maronite Syriac Church through the Baladiten two bishops, Bishop Georges Abi- this is Saber OLM ( Bishop Emeritus of Montréal ) and Bishop Georges Abi Younes M. Saad OLM ( Bishop of Mexico).