John Marron I.

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John Marron I.

Johannes Maron I († 707 ) was the first Maronite patriarch . He is venerated as a saint. His feast day is March 2nd.

His father was Ahathon, governor of Sarum and Anohamia, and his grandfather was Prince Alidiopas. He studied mathematics, natural sciences, philosophy, theology, linguistics and sacred literature in Antioch and in the monastery of St. Marron. There he also entered the order and took the nickname Marron.

He then studied Greek and patrology in Constantinople . On his return he wrote various works on pedagogy, rhetoric, the sacraments, administration of church property, legal texts and liturgy. He composed eucharistic prayers which still bear his name today. As a doctrine and preacher, he explained Catholic dogma to the Council of Chalcedon and wrote a series of letters to the faithful against monophysitism and monotheletism . He then traveled to Syria to interpret his teachings against heresy.

In 676 he became bishop for Lebanon with the mandate to oppose the heresy there and to consolidate the unity of the Maronites with the imperial church . He supported the Christian believers during the Muslim invasion.

The Maronites formed large parts of the Maradite army , the so-called Brass Wall , which defended Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire against Muslim expansion. In 685 the Maradites elected Johannes Maron as Patriarch of Antioch and the Orient. John got the approval of Pope Sergius I and thus became the first Maronite patriarch.

The Byzantine ruler Justinian II feared the growing power of the Maradite army. He was annoyed that the appointment of Johannes Maron as patriarch was not sought. He sent his army to beat the Maradites and arrest John. However, the army managed to win the battle, defeating Antioch and destroying the monastery. 500 monks were killed and Johannes was able to flee to Lebanon . When Justinian's army followed him, the Maradites, led by John's nephew Ibrahim, defeated them. In Lebanon, Johannes founded the monastery in Reesh Moran in Kefer Hay in Lebanon and moved his patriarchal seat there. The Maradites isolated themselves from the neighboring population, which is reflected in the fact that they did not mix with other groups.

literature

predecessor Office successor
--- Maronite Patriarch of Antioch
687–707 		Cyr
personal data
SURNAME John Marron I.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Maronite patriarch
DATE OF BIRTH 7th century
DATE OF DEATH 707