Saint Maron was a hermit who lived in the area of Aleppo, present day Syria, from around the years 350 – 410 A.D. We know very little about the actual person of St. Maron, and the main reference that exists today that tells us about him is on just two pages in the book A History of the Monks of Syriawritten by Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus from 423 – 466.
In regards to historical information, Theodoret tells us that Maron embraced the “open-air life” living on a “hill-top formerly honored by the impious.” Although Maron went to this hill-top to pray and offer sacrifice to our Lord, to deepen his intimacy with Christ, through his gift of healing his “fame circulated everywhere,” and many people came to visit him.
From Theodoret’s brief account of St. Maron’s life, when his fame spread we do not find an attempt on St. Maron’s part to flee from these people and seek deeper solitude, but rather an openness and receptivity to those in need. Theodoret tells us that in the presence of St. Maron “one could see fevers quenched by the dew of his blessing, shivering quieted, demons put to flight, and varied diseases of every kind cured by a single remedy.” Theodoret’s most detailed account of Saint Maron is the following:
[Maron] cured not only infirmities of the body, but applied suitable treatments to souls as well, healing this man’s greed and that man’s anger, to this man supplying teaching in self-control and to that providing lessons in justice, correcting this man’s intemperance, and shaking up another man’s sloth. Applying this mode of cultivation, he produced many plants of philosophy, and it was he who planted for God the garden that now flourishes in the region of Cyrrhus.
Although we know very little about St. Maron himself, we can glean a great deal from his legacy that remains. In those early days of the Christian Church, St. Maron had many disciples who wished to imitate his way of life. Theodoret mentions several of them in his book. We also know that a large monastery was formed with the name “House of Maron” where many of these followers sought the monastic life and continued to give witness to the holy example of their spiritual father, St. Maron.
Today there are numerous people throughout the world who identify themselves as “Maronites,” Christians who follow in the path of St. Maron. From him we see a great witness of leaving everything, putting one’s complete and total trust in Divine Providence, and seeking whatever measure is necessary to grow in intimacy with our Lord, Jesus Christ. While Maron sought to “climb the mountain of virtue” to reach the greatest intimacy with our Lord, we see how his love for God also increased his love for neighbor. His life as a hermit opened his heart fully to our Lord and all of humanity.
As we continue to follow in his example today, may we recognize the one thing in life that should always guide us – seeking union with our beloved Lord through His holy will.