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37-425: The administrative center is the city of Zgharta . The district has 101 populated areas with 30 municipalities covering 37 villages. Some areas share the same municipality such as Ehden / Zgharta , Kfarsghab /Morh Kfarsghab, and Miziara /Harf Miziara. And there is one Municipalities Union. The district has a population of around 81,490. The district elevation is about 40 meters along the coast line and clmbs up to

74-564: A height of 2,550 meters at the highest point of the Mount Lebanon mountain range. The highest populated part of the district overlooks the Qozhaya Valley, which is the northern branch of the Holy Valley of Qadisha , a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is in the mountains within the district. This higher part of the district is a visitor destination, including

111-560: A pastoral visit in 1669. As bishop, and later as Patriarch, he undertook reforms of the Maronite Church and its monks. El Douaihy was elected Patriarch on 20 May 1670, when he was only 40 years old, but was confirmed by Rome only on 8 August 1672. This is universally seen as an acknowledgment of his personal moral qualities, his extraordinary learning, and his keen appreciation of the issues the Maronites faced. He paid particular attention to

148-494: A request by their guests, the people of Ehden endeavoured to clear the heavy snow off the road as far as Hayrouna Valley overlooking the coast, accompanying their guests to safety where they made their farewells to them with fitting accolades. In April 1516, Bishop El Douaihy and Sheikh Iskandar received a letter from Al-Ghazali, saying on being told by his minister, Sinan Pasha of their and peoples hospitality and assistance, Sultan Salim I asked that he rewarded them which he promised

185-524: A serious condition that almost led to blindness. El Douaihy believed that the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was responsible for his cure. While in Italy, he traveled as widely as possible seeking manuscripts dealing with Maronite history and liturgy. When he returned to Lebanon at the age of 25, he continued his research. On 25 March 1656 he was ordained priest by Patriarch Safrawy . In 1658, he

222-569: Is a city in North Lebanon , with an estimated population of around 50,000. It is the second biggest city in Northern Lebanon after Tripoli . Zgharta is officially the Zgharta-Ehden municipality. Zgharta is about 150 metres above sea level and lies between the rivers of Jouit and Rashein. It is 23 kilometres from Ehden , 11 kilometres from the coastal city of Tripoli , 88.7 kilometres from

259-530: Is a small village surrounded by an enclosure, and has a fortress beside the church of Virgin Mary. Zgharta used to be a drawn line between danger and worship, situated between Tripoli and the mountain. It would receive initial attacking strikes, then reply by returning those strikes, hitting the hearts of their enemy. Its people have therefore been renowned and recognised as excellent fighters" Another later visitor in 1831 records that "From Tripoli I left for Zgharta, which

296-424: Is now held by his grandson Youssef Boutros Romanos Yammine. It describes how people of Ehden had acquired "the farmland of Zgharta": On the eve of the 24th of January 1515, Al-Ghazali , the governor of Damascus , along with Sinan Pasha , the minister of Sultan Selim I , had reached Ehden travelling along the route of Damascus-Bekaa Valley-Dahr al-Kadib-the cedars. They were transporting funds to Sultan Salim I who

333-567: Is situated at an altitude of around 120m above sea level. The main and old city of Zgharta is situated between the two rivers of Rachiine and Jouit which merge forming the Abu Ali River which then passes through the city of Tripoli . Zgharta is situated at the steps of the Northern Mount Lebanon range in a not-too-hilly but very fertile agricultural area, mainly due to the rivers that flow through it. Olives, oranges and lettuce were

370-459: Is some evidence that the area of Zgharta was later inhabited in 200 BC and that in the 2nd and 3rd centuries there were already fortifications. Its present-day existence and its close association with the village of Ehden began in the 16th century. The story of that beginning is recorded in a manuscript in the Syriac language, which belonged to Romanos Afandi Yammine, son of Father George Yammine, and

407-498: Is to be registered in one of these five sectors. Zghartaouis are instantly recognizable by their distinct accent. Zgharta, whose general population did not speak Arabic until the end of the 19th century, transferred some of the Syriac terminology as well as signs of movement and incorporated them into the Arabic language that they now speak due to the necessity of communicating with the rest of

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444-451: Is two hours away. Its land is full of olive, mulberry, vines, apricot and lemon trees" The town of Zgharta was divided into five sectors in 1932: Saydeh Sharki (the area to the east side of Notre-Dame of Zgharta church), Saydeh Gherbi (west of the Church), Slayeb Shemali (northern side of the crossroads), Slayeb Janoubi (southern side of the crossroads) and Maaser. To be a citizen of Zgharta, one

481-608: The Maronite Church – Gregorios Of Ehden, David Of Ehden, Jeremiah of Amshit (1199-1230), Youhanna Makhlouf (1609-1633), George Omaira (1634-1644), Estephan El Douaihy (1670-1704) – and an Ottoman era nationalist leader Youssef Bey Karam who led a rebellion against Turkish rule. Political power in Zgharta district is dominated by a few rival families from the town: the Karam, Frangieh, Douaihy, Moawad and Makary. Traditionally, agriculture

518-518: The "Shahani firman" was granted, but it was addressed to Sheikh Iskandar. Having collected the firman in Damascus and returning to Ehden the people there were aggrieved that the firman was addressed solely to Sheikh Iskandar, fearing that he and his relations could claim sole ownership. Bishop El Douaihy, representing the people, put this to Sheikh Iskandar and as a result he declared at the Mar Mama church that

555-457: The Al-Zawiyi region. They chose a derelict farm, containing a few demolished houses and a tower in the middle, situated between the rivers Joueit and Rashein. Al-Ghazali, on the return of his officials with the measurements of the site, promised to obtain a "Shahani firman " (decree) from Sultan Salim whereby ownership of the land would pass to the people of Ehden. Some eight months later, in 1517,

592-660: The Maronite Church, who lost the books of Maronite prayers and Masses from its Syriac language until it became restricted to schools and seminaries and theological institutes. Residents of some villages in Mount Lebanon still speak Arabic with a Syriac accent, clinging to it and maintaining it because it is synonymous with their identity. The climate is hot-summer Mediterranean ( Csa in the Köppen climate classification ), with very wet winters and very dry summers. About 1,053 mm (41.46 in) of precipitation falls annually. Zgharta

629-741: The Maronite peasantry lived, and raising the level of general education. Al-Duwayhi established a college in Aleppo, which became the base for the development of renewed monastic orders. As with his educational policy, his monastic renewal was a success, and still bears fruit today. Of the many works of Patriarch al-Duwayhi, the vast bulk are still available only in Arabic . A selection has been translated into French by Youakim Moubarac in Pentalogie antiochenne/domaine Maronite . That selection focusses upon his discussion of

666-508: The Monastery of Mar Sarkis and the Monastery of Qozhaya areas. Agriculture stays the main activity of the district with an important olive oil production in the coastal area and fruits (apple and pears) in the mountain area. The recent years saw the development of a modest service sector around the economic pole of Zgharta . The officially registered population of the district was estimated to 90,000 in 1998. Around 50% of residents live in

703-559: The Sultan he would. On his return to Damascus, Al-Ghazali invited the people of Ehden to meet him in Tripoli . At the request of Sheikh Iskander he agreed to provide the people with a place to live away from the harsh winter conditions, which they faced in Ehden. Al-Ghazali readily agreed to this request. Accompanied by his officials, Sheikh Iskandar went with Bishop El Douaihy to choose a suitable place in

740-483: The capital of Lebanon , Beirut , and 82 kilometres from the nearest Syrian city, Tartous . Its history and people are closely associated with the village of Ehden , a summer resort and touristic center. Most of the citizens of Zgharta have summer houses in Ehden. It is the seat and the capital of the Zgharta District (Qadaa' Zgharta). Zgharta is closely related to the mountain town of Ehden, essentially sharing

777-471: The economic pole of Zgharta: Zgharta , Rachiine , Kfardlakos , Kfarhata , Mijdlayiah , Ardeh , Harf Ardeh . As of 2022, the religious make-up of the District's 81,959 voters were roughly 78% Maronite Catholics , 14% Sunni , 6% Greek Orthodox , 1% Greek Catholic , and 1% other Christian Minorities . Zgharta Zgharta ( Arabic : زغرتا , Classical Syriac : ܙܓܪܬܐ ), also spelled Zghorta ,

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814-426: The given land known as "Zgharta would be distributed equally between the people of Ehden". In 1602, Father Ghodar, a Jesuit priest to Zgharta recorded: "Zgharta represents a horrific nightmare for its enemy. Its youth is dressed in traditional clothing; white shirts decorated with yellow stitched embroidery, strongly tied " sherwal " pants along with long boots and topped by headband reflecting enormous heroism. Zgharta

851-564: The like. One writer has suggested that it derived from the Aramaic word "zaghar" meaning fortress. The Plain of Zgharta around Zgharta was likely inhabited from at least the beginning of the Neolithic Revolution by the Qaraoun culture as evidenced by some large, heavy Neolithic flints and double-headed axes found in the area that are documented by R. Wetzel and J. Haller in 1945. There

888-559: The main and historical crops grown in the area for centuries. Today, a variety of crops are grown: avocados, strawberries, kale, cabbage being the most popular. 34°24′N 35°54′E  /  34.400°N 35.900°E  / 34.400; 35.900 Estephan El Douaihy Istifan al-Duwayhi or Estephan El Douaihy ( Arabic : اسطفانوس الثاني بطرس الدويهي / ALA-LC : Isṭifānūs al-thānī Buṭrus al-Duwayhī ; French : Étienne Douaihi ; Latin : Stephanus Dovaihi ; Italian : Stefano El Douaihy ; 2 August 1630 – 3 May 1704)

925-527: The moment of publication of the decree. Some of the miracles attributed to him have been collected by M.S. El Douaihy. A miracle attributed to his intercession was investigated and was subject to a diocesan investigation; the miracle received formal ratification from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 30 January 2014. Pope Francis approved the miracle required for his beatification on 17 March 2024, and he

962-496: The proceedings with a decree dated 8 November 2002. The Positio for the beatification cause was published in 2005 and it received the approval of the Historical Commission of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints on 24 January 2006. On 3 July 2008 Pope Benedict XVI authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to draw up a decree on the heroic virtues of Patriarch al-Duwayhi who will be referred to as Venerable from

999-474: The residents of Mount Lebanon and its coast and those who abandoned this language. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Saint Joseph School in Zgharta attested to this and the other schools in Ehden, which taught the Syriac language in addition to the Arabic and French languages. The prayers and Masses were held in Syriac and Arabic, before they gradually disappeared even among those in charge of

1036-625: The same population. Each summer, most of the people in Zgharta move to spend their summer in Ehden; this is reversed in winter when Ehden is practically deserted. Zgharta had two Presidents of Lebanon : Suleiman Frangieh and René Moawad , and many prominent politicians: Youssef Salim Karam , Hamid Frangieh , Historian Jawad Boulos Makary , Semaan El Douaihy, Suleiman Frangieh Jr , Nayla Moawad , Estephan El Douaihy (ex-MP), Salim Bey Karam , Tony Frangieh (current MP), Jawad Boulos, Michel Moawad (current MP) and Youssef Bahha El Douaihy. Ehden also produced at least four patriarchs of

1073-518: The traditions of the Maronite Church, and favoured a de-Latinisation of rites and ceremonies. He was hounded by Ottoman authorities, who resented his principled appeals for justice for the Maronites. In particular, they were frustrated by his resistance to their oppressive taxation policies: policies which saw the abandonment of many villages by peasants unable to pay their taxes. It was also a period when Maronites and, in particular, their clergy, were liable to sudden arrest, assault and murder. The Patriarch

1110-411: Was a large portion of the local economy, with olives grown for olive-oil around Zgharta and apple orchards around Ehden. Recently, the service (especially tourism and leisure) and manufacturing sectors have seen significant growth. Various explanations have been given as to the meaning of Zgharta. The majority are of the opinion that it relates to meanings relating to fortresses, citadels, barricades and

1147-458: Was beatified on August 2, 2024 in Bkerke, Lebanon. Al-Duwayhi strongly believed in the social importance of education and science (being an amateur scientist himself). Given the importance of learning, and his experience in how far European education exceeded Oriental, he pursued a successful policy of sending as many Maronites to Rome as possible, to become capable of returning to the villages in which

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1184-519: Was considered by many Maronites of Lebanon, but particularly in North Lebanon and in Zgharta , Ehden to have been a saint. The Congregation of the Causes of Saints issued the decree of nulla osta for his beatification cause on 5 December 1996. The Patriarchate of Antioch of the Maronites proceeded with the diocesan investigation and, at its culmination, submitted the results to congregation, which validated

1221-674: Was declared a Servant of God by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints . On 3 July 2008 Pope Benedict XVI declared him Venerable . On August 2, 2024, he was beatified at a ceremony held in Bkerké, Lebanon. El Douaihy was born to a noble family ( El Douaihy ). At the age of sixteen, recognized as a brilliant young talent, he was sent to the Maronite College (Seminary) in Rome. He studied there for fourteen years, from 1641 to 1655, being cured of

1258-468: Was in Egypt. They were welcomed as guests by Sheikh Iskandar, whilst other members of their travelling entourage were guests of the people of Ehden. Heavy snowfall and extremely freezing conditions that lasted two full days prompted them to stay five days in Ehden where Sheikh Iskandar and Bishop Keryakos Douaihy, the local bishop, provided for their guests great hospitality, generosity and kindness. Responding to

1295-659: Was not exempt, being assaulted himself. He was accordingly obliged to move from place to place, however he maintained his writing. El Douaihy traveled throughout the Maronite world, including Cyprus and Aleppo. This is partly because Aleppo was at that time a focus for the international overland trade, the only trade where the Ottoman Empire had any opening, given the European domination of the sea routes. Almost immediately after his death, on 3 May 1704 in Qannubine, Kadisha Valley , he

1332-601: Was sent to serve the Maronite parish in Aleppo . He was appointed apostolic visitor in countryside Lebanon, and later he served in the parish of Ardeh . In 1662, he was again sent to Aleppo, where he remained until 21 May 1668. On his return, he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land . On 8 July 1668 he was appointed and consecrated bishop of the Maronite Diocese of Cyprus by Patriarch George Beseb'ely . He travelled to Cyprus for

1369-624: Was the 57th Patriarch of the Maronite Church , serving from 1670 until his death. He was born in Ehden , Lebanon . He is considered one of the major Lebanese historians of the 17th century and was known as “The Father of Maronite History”, “Pillar of the Maronite Church”, “The Second Chrysostom ”, “Splendor of the Maronite Nation”, and “The Glory of Lebanon and the Maronites”. After his death, he

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