Aleppo, northern Syria (SANA) – The historic city of Brad, where St. Maroun lived a life of piety and where he was interred, is a living testimony to an important period in the history of Syria, the cradle of Christianity.

The village, which is located 30 kilometers northeast of Aleppo, contains Julianos Church, which is among the largest in Northern Syria. It was established in the late 4th century AD, and St. Maroun was interred in a chapel that was added later to the church.

The celebration of the 16th centennial of St. Maroun is part of the efforts to shed light on the historic, archeological and religious importance of Brad and its surrounding. The village was nominated by the UNESCO to be among one of three locations to be added to the World Heritage list in 2010. The event also underlines the spirit of amity and the doctrine of piety established by St. Maroun.

Studies and documents say that Julianos Church remained the only church in the city for more than 150 years and that it was built at the site of a pagan temple. The church is 42 meters long, 22.5 meters wide, and consists of three sections as seen in the basilica model of churches, separated by two rows of arches with the middle section containing the sanctuary.

The Martyrium church, a small chapel, was added to the church 8 years after its construction where St. Maroun was interred. St. Maroun was born in the village of Korash, 45 kilometers from Aleppo. His name means "Little Master."

Historians believe that the village of Brad was the capital of Samaan Mountain during the 4th and 7th centuries AD, when it was called Kafer Brad, and it is the largest archeological city in that area. It prospered during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD as evidenced by the large structures that date back to that time which include an Andron (a structure for entertaining guests), a marketplace, a public bathhouse, a Roman altar, oil presses, and houses of various sizes.

H. Sabbagh / Mazen