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Maronite Church

Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch
Coat of Arms of the Maronite Patriarchate.svg
Coat of arms of the Maronite Church with Latin motto "The glory of Lebanon is given to him" (Isaiah 35:2), applied to the Maronite Patriarch.
Founded AD 410;
7th century
Founder Maron;
John Maron
Recognition Catholic Church,
Eastern Catholic Churches
Primate Bechara Boutros al-Rahi
Headquarters Bkerké, Lebanon
Territory Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Israel, Canada, United States, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico
Possessions Approximately one third of Lebanese territory
Language Arabic (Lebanese Arabic  · Cypriot Maronite Arabic); Liturgical: Aramaic (Syriac)
Members 3,198,600
Website http://www.bkerki.org

The Maronite Church (Arabic: الكنيسة المارونية‎‎) is an Eastern Catholic sui iuris particular church of the Catholic Church in communion with the Pope, with self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches by the Patriarch of Antioch, Bechara Boutros al-Rahi since 2011. Officially known as the Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch (Latin: Ecclesia Syrorum Maronitarum; Syriac: Īṯo Suryoiṯo Morunoiṯo d'Anṭiokia; Arabic: الكنيسة الأنطاكية السريانية المارونية‎‎) al-Kanīsa al-Anṭākiyya al-Suryāniyya al-Mārūniyya), it is part of the Syriac Churches by liturgy and heritage.

Traditionally, the Maronite Church is located in the Levant particularly around Mount Lebanon, where Bkerke, its current headquarters, is located. Other historical centers of importance include Kfarhay, Yanouh, Mayfouq, and Qadisha Valley. However, due to massive emigration since the 19th century, approximately two-thirds of church members are now located outside "The Antiochian's Range" and live within the worldwide Lebanese diaspora in many of the European Union member states, the Americas, Australia and Africa.


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