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According to Charles Malek, the greatness of the Maronite rite lies in its profound austerity, spontaneity and simplicity. Its popularity reflects a sense of subsidiarity and democracy, fueling a continual desire for independence and freedom – spiritual and liturgical at first, then extending to the cultural and political dimensions.
After discussing the first three gifts –Mount Lebanon, Lebanon and Christian freedom of worship (as covered in the previous article) – Charles Malek then addressed what had been entrusted to the Maronites, hence mentioning the topics of Bkerke, Rome, liturgy and heritage.
Fourth gift: Bkerke
Malek explained that the Maronites have been entrusted with Bkerke, "a unique spiritual center in the East" that extends its influence beyond the Maronites, and often beyond the Christian communities. Bkerke, which embodies "the glory of Lebanon," resonates in each of its actions, and even more so in its silence. It has emerged from the tumultuous and tragic history of Eastern Christians, born of their heroism – a legacy it continues to uphold today and for the future, just as it has in the past. This patriarchate cannot, under any circumstances, be limited to merely preserving heritage and tradition. Its duty is more active, visionary, innovative and responsible. It must understand and adapt to the global changes, the evolution of humanity, and shifting social and geopolitical challenges, in order to shape the future and ensure its people’s survival.
Malek wrote that Bkerke is so crucial that "if Lebanon were to be destroyed, but Bkerke remained unharmed and strong, it alone could rebuild Lebanon. But if, God forbid, Bkerke were to be reduced to rubble or collapse, Lebanon would be unable to regain its strength or rebuild." Thus, in today’s existential crisis, Lebanon cannot recover without the vital and much-needed revival of Bkerke.
Fifth gift: Rome
Beyond their Syriac heritage, the Maronites, through Rome, embrace the Western Roman Christian legacy and universal Christianity. This Roman connection has shielded the Maronites from isolationism and Eastern traditionalism, placing them at the crossroads between the Syriac East and the universalist West. This invaluable openness, cultivated since the Middle Ages, has expanded the Maronite community’s engagement with the world – both temporally and spiritually – in their pursuit of God and Truth.
Sixth gift: the Maronite liturgy
The Greek Orthodox philosopher was deeply impressed by the character and democratic spirit of the Maronite liturgy. Through it, he recognized the origins of the democratic values – and, by extension, the freedom – that are so characteristic of Lebanon. He often compared this simple and austere rite to the grandeur of the Orthodox imperial liturgy.
The Syriac tradition is poetic and steers clear of the philosophical controversies typical of the Greeks. For Malek, the genius of this rite and spirituality lies in its popular and spontaneous nature. It arises from the people, not from a high authority. It rejects grandeur, wealth and virtuosity, focusing instead on Mary and Christ, seeking to touch His face in the Eucharist.
Malek wrote, "This is the greatness of the Maronite rite: its popularity, its democracy, its spontaneity, its simplicity... it is a cry of total independence from any cultural influence imposed from the outside." This is where the spirit of this rite aligns with the intrinsic attachment to political independence and the principle of freedom. This fundamental principle was echoed by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1989, when the idea of placing Lebanon under the Syrian mandate was raised, challenging all the values inherent to the country. It was then that the Pope introduced the concept of Lebanon as “a message of freedom.” Later reduced to a slogan and stripped of the word “freedom,” it was distorted and co-opted by proponents of the ideology of Greater Lebanon and of fusion – essentially erasing cultural and human identities.
Seventh gift: a unified history
For Malek, no other Levantine community has received a history as unified and specific as the Maronites. The continuity it demonstrates is unique, and its manifestation in writing cannot be a mere coincidence.
The Christian philosopher rejects the notion of nothingness; he rejects nihilism. For him, everything has a meaning and a purpose within the progressive cycle of humanity. He believes in the existence of a mystery that involves a duty, a challenge and a test of heroism.
Eighth gift: the ability to give
A close friend of the great historian Fouad Ephrem Boustany, with whom he attended meetings of the Lebanese Front, Malek often reflected on all that the Maronites have contributed to humanity, particularly to their Arab neighbors in terms of literature.
He thus mentioned Boustany's encyclopedia, the translations of numerous masterpieces of universal classics, the world literature of Gibran Kahlil Gibran, his paintings, as well as those of Saliba Douaihy and César Gemayel.
The treasure of the commandments
The ninth gift is the Syriac heritage, which grants the Maronites a distinct and unique identity. This leads us to the tenth gift, which defines the role that the Maronites are tasked with playing in the region, and more specifically, between Jews and Arabs, in their capacity as an integral community.
In the eleventh and final article of his letter, “The Treasure of the Commandments,” Malek once again warned the Maronites, urging them never to fall into arrogance. He emphasized that these gifts should never give rise to pride or vanity. The immense responsibility they entail can only call for humility.
At the end of each article, the philosopher consistently asked the same question: "Do the Maronites truly understand this responsibility? Are they aware of its extreme danger? Do they grasp the significance of being given this responsibility?" In other words, will they live up to all that has been entrusted to them?
Today, 30 years later, we have the right to ask this question in retrospect: Did they live up to everything that was entrusted to them?
The ninth and tenth gifts, as developed by Malek (in the following article), will address the issue of the Maronites' and Lebanon's purpose. This existential dimension adds difficulty to the great challenge and complexity of the role the philosopher envisioned for them.
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