United by the common baptism and faith in Jesus Christ, and strengthened by participation in our authentic Christian life, the parishioners of Our Lady of The Annunciation Maronite Catholic Church. He began his hermit life approximately 386 A.D. on the Cyrus Mountain, near the famous city of Antioch. At the time the Roman Emperor Theodosianus issued a decree "all pagan temples to be destroyed ". S
o "Mar Maroon" destroyed one pagan temple and, on its ruin, he built a tent. He lived there as a hermit serving the Lord in Penance, in self-reconciliation, and in adoration. He retired from the outside world because he wanted to devote himself totally to God. In his loneliness He found the Lord and he began to preach and teach through the word of God and the good example. His hermitage became a centre to reach God. Thus the hermit, Maroon, became for the people an Apostle, a Teacher, and a Man of God. His tent therefore became a " Light-House" in a country where wrong and the Schism dominated. The inhabitants of this Country wanted, if possible, to near Mar Maroon and to live under his guidance. Many young people came to him so that they could fulfil the commandment of the Lord: "Come and follow me." Mar Maroon died approximately in 423 A.D. While dying he beseeched and recommended to his disciples to follow always the Church's teaching. Mar Maroon hermit's spirit was still alive among his followers. In a short time, his Community grew rapidly and built a monastery for 800 Monks, named "THE CRYSTAL MONASTERY". This " Crystal Monastery" was located on the bank of the Oronte's River (Al-Assi),
