February 9 is St. Maroun's Day in Lebanon.
He is the patron saint of Lebanon, that is why this feast is a public holiday.
Saint Maroun (also Maro or Maron) was a priest and hermit.
His life and miracles attracted many followers.
After his death in 410 AD a special movement was founded, that became known as the Maronite movement.
The Maronite movement reached Lebanon when the first disciple of St. Maroun, Abraham of Cyrrhus, realized, how many non-Christians were in Lebanon.
He decided to convert them to Christianity and introduced them to St. Maroun.
The Maronite Church has achieved a profound influence in Lebanon, while in modern Syria, Jordan and Israel it is one to a lesser degree.
