The Holy Hermit Maron

Saint Maron was born in the fourth century near the city of Cyrus in  Syria. He spent almost all his time beneath the open sky in prayer, vigil, ascetical works and strict fasting. He obtained from God the gift of healing the sick and casting out demons. He counseled those who turned to him for advice to be temperate, to be concerned for their salvation, and to guard against avarice and anger. 

It is to him probably that St. John Chrysostom addressed a letter from exile in 405.  Saint Maron, a friend of Saint John Chrysostom, died before 423 at an advanced age. Saint Maron founded many monasteries around Cyrus, and converted a pagan temple near Antioch into a Christian church.  

In the following century, there was a monastery that bore his name, located between Emessa and Homs in Syria. It was a stronghold in defense of the doctrines defined at the Council of Chalcedon. 

Troparion of St. Maron: 

Your abundant tears made the wilderness sprout and bloom, and your suffering  made your labours fruitful a hundredfold: you became a shining torch over the world. O Holy Father Maron, pray to Christ God that He may save our souls!