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Forty days after Easter we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. We learn in Acts 1:3 that this event occurred forty days after the Lord’s Resurrection. “To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God”. Forty days is referred to many times in the scriptures. Jesus was bought to the temple forty days after his birth. He spent forty days in the desert. There are various views on the significance of forty days. However, this does explain why in the Maronite tradition we hold a memorial Mass for our faithful departed after 40 days. This is symbolic of the time that Jesus spent on earth after his death and resurrection and when he ascended. The Ascension marks the end of the Risen Lord’s time on Earth. In Acts 1:4 we learn that Jesus is leaving with a promise, the sending of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. For this reason we ask in the Entrance hymn of the Maronite Ascension Liturgy: Send to us your Spirit, Lord; may he strengthen us in faith, renew us in love and in hope that never fails. In Jacob of Serug’s glorious homily on this feast – “On that Chariot that Ezekiel the Prophet Saw”, Jacob recognises that although Christ has ascended into heaven, we have been left with the Eucharist – Christ’s very body and flesh is here with us now. Jacob beautifully explains: He has come to you, to your place. Look at Him! for He is with you At the altar as [at] a meeting-place with you, so that you may see Him as He rests upon the table, And from the particles of His body all creation is satisfied. (606:4-7) The prophecy found in Ezekiel 10: 18-19 of the Ascension, is a focus of the early Syriac writers. The Ascension and the vision of Ezekiel is also depicted in an icon contained in the Rabula Gospel. Learn more about that at the article at the link. On this feast we are reminded that Jesus remains with us in the Eucharist, giving each of us the opportunity to be with him here on earth. We rejoice that Heaven and Earth have been joined, Jesus has brought the two together. Theresa Simon and Christina Maksisi

Pilgrimage 36 - Today we are visiting a must go to for all Maronites, the Monastery of St Maroun in Hermel, Lebanon, otherwise known as the Cave of the Monks. This cave was used as a refuge and monastery by St Maroun and his followers in the forth Century. It is known as the foundation of our Maronite faith. The Monastery is carved purely out of solid rock from the side of a cliff. It is 90 metres above a river, the Ain ez Zarqa. There are 3 levels with rock stairways inside. There are multiple altars and small cells which were the living spaces of the monks and St Maroun. It is believed that St Maroun worked here and even may have died in these caves. The site had been damaged over the centuries during various upheavals, it had been altered by different empires occupying the land. It was also said to have been used by shepherds and their flock. It has recently been cleaned and opened to the public. There are plans to further restore the site. #Maronite #StMaroun #Hermel #Lebanon

They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. Psalm 65:8 Our pilgrimage today is to Mt Warrigal on the South Coast in NSW to witness God’s great majesty. #livingmaronite

Pilgrimage 35 - Today we visit Saint Maron Church, located in Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. It was built in the early 20th century (1906) and was renowned for its architecture. A major earthquake hit in the 1990’s but the church held due to its strong build. It was recently renovated and reopened in December 2015 by Fr Nabil Rafoul, Fr Joseph Haj and Fr Hanna Morany. They have recently celebrated 100 years of the St Maron Maronite church serving the community in Heliopolis. The paintings were created by Habib Khoury who is renowned for having his paintings in many churches in Lebanon. He painted St Anthony, St John Maron, St Joseph and of course, St Maron above the altar. #Maronite #Egypt

Pilgrimage # 34 Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Harvest. This feast is one of three related feasts devoted to Mary in the Maronite liturgical calendar and unique to it. The feasts are celebrated as follows: 15 January for the seeds 15 May for the ears of wheat (the harvest) 15 August for the grapes Today we are are going to visit Our Lady of the Grapes which is perched high on the mountain overlooking Zahle, Lebanon. It is believed that the origins of these feasts may initially have been agricultural pagan feasts to do with planting and harvesting. However, in the Maronite context they have come to symbolise the Mystery of the Eucharist. They form the ingredients for bread and wine, linking the Virgin Mary to the Holy Eucharist. In Syriac spirituality and in the imagery of the poetry of Saint Ephrem, there is a special focus on Mary’s womb receiving Jesus. We are reminded of this in our Liturgy hymn for the transfer of offerings. Through the harvests of wheat and grape we receive the gifts of bread and wine, which become for us the body and blood of Christ and like Mary we receive Christ to dwell in us. Alleluia! Our Lord Jesus said “I am the Bread of Life. From the Father I was sent as Word without flesh to give new life. Of the Virgin Mary I was born, taking flesh as man; as good earth receives a seed, her womb received me. Priestly hands now lift me high above the altars.” Alleluia! Our gifts, Lord, receive. Amen #livingmaronite #ourladyoftheharvest #ourladyofthegrapes #zahle #lebanon #maronite #maronitepilgrimage

Pilgrimage 33 - Today we visit Mar Mema’s church in Ehden, Lebanon. It’s the oldest Maronite church (in Lebanon) built in 749 CE. The church was built on the remains of a Byzantine Church from the sixth century and has ancient inscription writings in Greek and Syriac. You can learn more at the video at the link in our bio (in Arabic). Mar Mema was a great martyr born in the third century to noble Roman parents, who professed their Christian faith openly. They were both arrested and locked in prison in Caesarea in Cappadocia. Both his parents Theodotus and Rufina died in prison, rufina died after giving birth to Mema prematurely. A Christian widow named Ammia raised Mema in the Christian faith. Mema was an ordinary teenage boy who had an education. He was confident in his faith and through discussions and living through example, he converted many of his peers. The governor at the time had learnt of Mema and the way he was converting many to Christianity and had him arrested. He was then sent to the Emperor Aurelian, who tried to convert Mema to the pagan faith. Mema refused and pointed out the errors of the pagan’s faith. This made the Emperor mad and he sent Mema to be tortured. After many trials, he was struck in the stomach by a trident and died a martyr at the age of 15. Mar Mema is the patron Saint of Shepherds and nurses. Mar Mema is a great example to young people in today’s society. With immense pressure for teenagers to follow the crowd and give in to peer pressure, Mema is a great role model for young people to take courage and be themselves. Stand out of the crowd and don’t be afraid to be yourself, proclaim your faith and what you believe in, even if you may be ridiculed or thought to be different. Mar Mema intercede for us #Maronite #Ehden #Lebanon

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