Today the Maronite Church celebrates the memorial of her first patriarch of Antioch, John Maron. Since in the second half of the seventh century the See of Antioch was vacant, the Maronites elected a patriarch from the monastery of Saint Maron on the Orante. John Maron was a spiritual leader and patriot who defended his people and accompanied them to Lebanon during their persecution. Tradition says that he died and was buried at Kafr Hayy (Batroun) in the sanctuary which is consecrated to him. Previously our Church celebrated his feast on March 9, Patriarch Joseph Estephan transferred his memorial to this date in 1778.