The Apostolic Vicar of the Latin Church in Syria, Bishop Hanna Jallouf, participated in the Mass announcing the canonization of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy (from Ehden) in Bkerké.
The Maronite Church and Lebanon celebrated the announcement of Patriarch Estephan El Douaihy’s canonization on the evening of Friday, August 2, in a celebratory Mass presided over by the Maronite Cardinal Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, at the Patriarchal headquarters in Bkerké. The ceremony was attended by the representative of His Holiness Pope Francis, the perfect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro.
A brief overview of the life of Blessed Estephan El Douaihy
He was born in Ehden on the feast of St. Stephen the First Martyr on August 2, 1630. His father passed away (in 1633) when he was three years old.
In 1641, Bishop Elias of Ehden and Patriarch Georges Amira of Ehden chose him along with several other children from the Church and sent them to the Maronite school in Rome when he was 11 years old. He lost his eyesight due to excessive studying; it is said that he studied in the morning, at night, and even during breaks and picnics. The Virgin Mary healed him and his sight was restored.
In 1650. he was awarded the title of Malphan, meaning professor of philosophy and theology, and his reputation spread for his exceptional intelligence in Italy and Europe.
On April 3, 1655, he returned to Lebanon. On March 25, 1656, at the age of 26, he was ordained a priest at the altar of the Monastery of Mar Sarkis in Ehden. He taught children in Ehden, authored significant works, and established several schools for educating children.
He accompanied Patriarch Ignatius Andrew Akijan (the first Patriarch of the Syriac Catholics), while he was a priest at the time, helping establish this church in Aleppo.
He served as a Patriarchal Visitor for the Maronites in Aleppo and the surrounding areas, visited the Holy Land, and upon his return, he was nominated by the citizens of Ehden for the episcopate.
In July 8, 1668, Patriarch Sebaaly promoted him to a bishop and sent him to the Maronites on the island of Cyprus. He was 38 years old.
On May 20, 1670, he was elected patriarch of the Maronites at the age of 40. Due to persecution, debts incurred by the See in Qannoubine, and the oppression and injustice of the rulers, he fled several times to the Monastery of St. Challita in Ghazir and to Majdal El Meouch in Chouf. Many nights he spent hiding in the caves of Qannoubine. He died in Qannoubine on May 3, 1704, and was buried with his ancestors in the cave of St. Marina.
Some of his miracles include:
He stopped the rain in Sahel Aalma and trapped it between Ghazir and Qannoubine.
He multiplied the wheat in Majdal El Meouch.
He healed the child Philipus Al-Jamil from a deadly disease, who later became the famous Bishop Philip Al-Jamil.
He healed the child Boutros Kabish from Blouza, Elias from Ghosta, and Ibrahim Assamrani, a student of the Maronite school in Rome.
He expelled demons from several individuals and places.
Among his most significant achievements:
On November 10, 1695, he allowed the establishment of regular monastic life in the Maronite Church, which gave rise to Sharbel, Rafqa, and Al Hardini. He built and numbered numerous monasteries and churches (around 27 monasteries and churches).