Patriarch Etienne Douaihy. (Photo taken from a Facebook page dedicated to Douaihy)
BEIRUT — Pope Francis has officially recognized a miracle attributed to Patriarch Estephan Douaihy, thereby launching the process of his beatification. The decision was announced on Thursday following a meeting between the Pope and Cardinal Mercello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and was reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA)
Immediately following the announcement, church bells rang out in Zghorta, the northern Lebanese village where Douaihy was from. The date of his beatification has not yet been set, according to information obtained by L’Orient-Le Jour. Unlike canonization, beatification ceremonies take place in the subject’s country of origin.
Father Boulos Azzi, who oversees the sainthood process for the Maronite Church, submitted a dossier to the Vatican in 2019 detailing a healing miracle attributed to the intercession of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy.
Born in Ehden, North Lebanon, in 1630, Douaihy was patriarch from 1670 until his death in 1704. Considered a foundational figure and luminary of his Church, he founded numerous schools and convents and is known as one of its most prolific historians, sometimes called “The Father of Maronite History."
Recognized as venerable in 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI, his body rests at the patriarchal convent of Qannoubine, in the Holy Valley, also known as Qadisha Valley, near the hermitage of Saint Marina, one of Lebanon's most revered saints.
Moawad and Frangieh celebrate
Two deputies from Zghorta shared their reactions to the news on X (formerly Twitter).
Michel Moawad, leader of the Independence Movement wrote: "On the path of holiness ... from Zghorta to the whole world! Congratulations to Lebanon and to our compatriots in Ehden and Zghorta."
Moawad views Pope Francis' decision as confirming "the role of Zghorta in Maronite, national and global consciousness.”
"Patriarch Douaihy is a founding pillar of our cultural and religious heritage," added the Zghorta deputy.
Sleiman Frangieh, leader of the Marada Movement and a prominent figure on the Maronite political scene wrote: "From Ehden, cradle of the Maronites, and from Lebanon, land of light and incense, to the whole world, Estephan Douaihy man of thought and faith, blessed on the altar of the Church. Congratulations to Lebanon and thanks to His Holiness the Pope.”