THE THREE MASSABKI MARONITE BROTHERS
Synaxarion for Memorials without a Proper Office
In the course of the fighting in Syria and Lebanon in 1860, a great number
of Christians died for their faith. Among them were the Franciscan Fathers
and the Massabki brothers who were all martyred at Damascus in Syria. The
Franciscan Fathers Ruiz, Colta, Escanio, Solar, Alberca, Binazo, Fernandez,
and Colanda were murdered during the night of July 10th.
Among the thousands of lay Christians who shed their blood for Christ were
the Massabki brothers. On that same night they fled to the Church for safety,
but their assailants were able to enter and demanded them to abandon their
religion. In the name of all, one of the brothers, Francis, refused their
demand and said:
We do not fear the one who kills the body...
a crown is prepared for us in heaven,
we have our souls ... and we do not wish
to lose them, we are Christians and we wish
to die as Christians.
They were martyred in the Church before the altar and their bodies were
buried in the Maronite Church of Damascus. Pope Pius XI declared them blessed
on October 10th., 1926.
May their prayers be with us. Amen.