On the night of December 24, 1898, in the mountains above Byblos, a Maronite hermit named Charbel Makhlouf drew his final breath in a small stone cell at the Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul. For eight days he had lain paralyzed, struck down during Mass on December 16. As midnight approached on Christmas Eve, the 70-year-old monk who had spent twenty-three years in absolute solitude finally surrendered his soul to God. What happened next would transform this remote Lebanese mountain into one of the Catholic world's most extraordinary pilgrimage destinations.
Villagers in the valley below reported seeing a brilliant light emanating from the hermitage on the night of his death. For forty-five consecutive nights, this mysterious radiance continued to shine over his grave, drawing curious witnesses from surrounding villages. When his tomb was opened four months later in 1899, his body was found floating in mud in a flooded grave—yet perfectly preserved, exuding a fragrant liquid described as a mixture of blood and perspiration. Medical examinations in 1927 and 1950 confirmed what pilgrims already believed: something miraculous was happening at Annaya.
Today, the Monastery of Saint Maron-Annaya receives pilgrims from every continent and every faith—Christians, Muslims, and Druze alike—all seeking the intercession of Lebanon's beloved wonder-worker, canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977 with more than 29,000 medically documented healings attributed to his intercession.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
Youssef Antoun Makhlouf was born on May 8, 1828, in Bekaa Kafra, the highest mountain village in Lebanon, one of five children in a devout Maronite family. His father, a mule driver named Antoun Zaarour Makhlouf, died in August 1831 while returning from forced labor for the Turkish army, leaving Youssef's mother Brigitta a widow with young children to raise. His mother remarried a devout deacon named Ibrahim, and the family maintained a joyful Christian home characterized by daily prayer and hard work.
From early childhood, Youssef showed an intense attraction to prayer and solitude. In 1851, at age twenty-three, responding to what he described as a supernatural call, he left his family home during the night without warning, walking through the mountains to the Monastery of Our Lady of Maïfouk. He later transferred to the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya—the very monastery whose construction had begun in 1828, the year of his birth. Upon entering the Lebanese Maronite Order, he took the religious name Charbel, honoring a second-century Christian martyr.
The Monastery of Saint Maron itself had been founded in 1829 by the Lebanese Maronite Order, which had begun construction in 1828 on a hillside deemed more favorable than their original location. Father Sarkis Kartabawi served as the first abbot, with major construction completed between 1839 and 1841 under Father Libaous Al-Tannouri. The monastery sits at 1,200 meters elevation in the Mount Lebanon range, seventeen kilometers from the ancient coastal city of Byblos.
For sixteen years, Father Charbel lived the communal monastic life at Saint Maron, celebrated for his faithfulness to the rule and his profound devotion to the Eucharist. Then, in 1875, an extraordinary event changed his path. Fellow monks, testing him, filled his oil lamp with water instead of oil. When Father Charbel lit the lamp, it burned nonetheless. His superiors, recognizing this as a sign of exceptional sanctity, granted him permission to enter the Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul, a small chapel under the monastery's care where approved monks could live as hermits.
For the next twenty-three years, Father Charbel embraced a life of almost unimaginable austerity. He slept on a rough straw mat with a wooden log for a pillow. His meals consisted of vegetables, legumes, and minimal portions. He rose before dawn, attended daily Mass at the monastery, recited the Divine Office, and spent countless hours in Eucharistic adoration, often entering states of mystical ecstasy witnessed by other monks. He lived in complete silence except for prayer, leaving his hermitage only for Mass and the most essential needs.
On December 16, 1898, while celebrating Mass in the hermitage chapel, Father Charbel suffered a massive stroke and collapsed at the altar. He lingered for eight days, paralyzed but conscious, finally dying on Christmas Eve as bells rang for midnight Mass throughout Lebanon. He was buried in the monastery cemetery in an ordinary grave.
Within hours, the miraculous phenomena began. The brilliant light witnessed by villagers continued for forty-five nights. When monastery officials opened his grave in April 1899 due to persistent reports of the light and a sweet fragrance emanating from the burial site, they found his body floating in mud from a flooded grave—but showing no signs of decomposition. More remarkably, his body was exuding a liquid that physicians identified as blood mixed with perspiration, filling the coffin and continuing to flow. Small cloths soaked in this mysterious fluid were distributed as relics, and reports of miraculous healings began immediately.
The body was exhumed again in 1927, twenty-eight years after death. Two physicians from the French Medical Institute in Beirut examined the remains and confirmed perfect preservation. The body was transferred to a zinc-lined coffin and placed in a new tomb inside the monastery oratory. The mysterious liquid continued to seep from the pores.
In 1950, during the Holy Year, pilgrims reported seeing liquid oozing from a corner of the sealed tomb. When opened, the tomb and outer coffin were dry, but viscous fluid was seeping through a crack in the inner coffin. Once again, the body showed no corruption, and the fluid continued to flow. For sixty-seven years—from 1898 to 1965—the body of Charbel Makhlouf defied the laws of nature, thoroughly documented and examined by medical professionals and Church investigators.
Pope Pius XI opened the beatification process in 1925. Pope Paul VI beatified Charbel on December 5, 1965, noting that by the time of beatification, the body had finally begun to decompose naturally. On October 9, 1977, during the World Synod of Bishops, Pope Paul VI canonized Saint Charbel Makhlouf, making him the first officially recognized Lebanese saint of modern times.
In his canonization homily, Pope Paul VI proclaimed: "A hermit of Mount Lebanon is enrolled in the number of the blessed… a new eminent member of monastic sanctity has by his example and his intercession enriched the entire Christian people… may he make us understand, in a world largely fascinated by wealth and comfort, the paramount value of poverty, penance and asceticism, to liberate the soul in its ascent to God." The Pope entrusted Lebanon and its people to Saint Charbel's protection, asking that they "always walk in the light of Christ."
Since 1950, the monastery has maintained careful records of miracles attributed to Saint Charbel's intercession. More than 29,000 cases have been documented, many involving cures of cancer, paralysis, blindness, and conditions deemed medically incurable. Pilgrims of all faiths continue to report healings, conversions, and profound spiritual experiences at his tomb.
In 1974, to accommodate the ever-growing number of pilgrims, the Lebanese Maronite Order consecrated a new church dedicated to Saint Charbel, built west of the original monastery. This spacious modern sanctuary now houses the saint's tomb and serves as the primary pilgrimage church, while the original monastery and hermitage remain sites of prayer and contemplation.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Annaya
Monastery of Saint Maron-Annaya
Deir Mar Maroun
The Monastery of Saint Maron-Annaya serves as the spiritual heart of the pilgrimage complex, the monastery where Saint Charbel lived his monastic life from 1851 until 1875. Founded in 1829 by the Lebanese Maronite Order, with construction beginning in 1828, the monastery sits on a hillside at 1,200 meters elevation, offering panoramic views across the mountains toward the Mediterranean Sea seventeen kilometers away. The original monastic church, simple and austere in the Maronite tradition, retains the atmosphere of nineteenth-century Lebanese monasticism. The monastery cemetery contains the original grave where Saint Charbel was buried in 1898 and from which the mysterious light was first witnessed. Monks of the Lebanese Maronite Order continue to live according to their rule here, maintaining the daily rhythm of liturgy and prayer that Saint Charbel himself followed. Pilgrims may visit the monastery church, cemetery, and certain common areas, experiencing the environment that shaped one of Lebanon's greatest saints.
Basilica of Saint Charbel
Consecrated in 1974 to accommodate the multitudes of pilgrims visiting Annaya, the Basilica of Saint Charbel is a spacious modern church built west of the original monastery. The basilica's architecture blends traditional Maronite elements with contemporary design, featuring soaring vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, and extensive mosaic work depicting scenes from Saint Charbel's life. The sanctuary can accommodate thousands of pilgrims during major feast days and Sunday liturgies. At the center of the basilica, behind protective glass in a marble shrine, rests the body of Saint Charbel Makhlouf. The tomb has become one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Middle East, with pilgrims often spending hours in silent prayer before the relics. Candles burn continuously, and the floor before the tomb is worn smooth by countless thousands who have knelt there seeking healing, guidance, or simply to honor the hermit saint. Masses are celebrated daily in Arabic, and the basilica remains open throughout the day for private prayer and veneration.
Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul
A steep footpath leads uphill from the monastery to the Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul, the small stone chapel and cells where Saint Charbel lived in solitude from 1875 until his death in 1898. The hermitage, perched on the mountainside surrounded by cedar and pine, remains remarkably unchanged from Charbel's time. Pilgrims can visit the tiny cell where he slept on straw with a wooden log for a pillow, the simple chapel where he suffered his fatal stroke during Mass, and the small garden where he cultivated vegetables. The hermitage exudes an atmosphere of profound silence and recollection, offering pilgrims a glimpse into the radical simplicity and austerity that characterized Saint Charbel's twenty-three years of hermit life. During the hermit's lifetime, this remote location was accessible only by mountain paths; today, the improved trail allows pilgrims to make the ascent in about twenty minutes. Many pilgrims describe the walk to the hermitage as a highlight of their visit to Annaya, a brief but meaningful experience of the solitude and natural beauty that formed the saint's contemplative life.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Feast of Saint Charbel — July 24
The universal liturgical feast of Saint Charbel Makhlouf is celebrated on July 24 throughout the Catholic world, but the celebration takes on extraordinary dimensions at Annaya. Pilgrims begin arriving days in advance, with tens of thousands gathering on the eve of the feast. The vigil night of July 23-24 transforms the monastery complex into a vast outdoor sanctuary, with pilgrims keeping prayer vigil throughout the night before the tomb, singing Maronite hymns, reciting the rosary in multiple languages, and sharing testimonies of healings and graces received through Saint Charbel's intercession. The atmosphere is festive yet deeply prayerful, with families camping on the monastery grounds, vendors selling religious items and refreshments, and continuous Masses celebrated in multiple languages. At dawn on July 24, the Maronite Patriarch or a representative typically presides over a Pontifical Divine Liturgy attended by bishops, clergy, religious, and laity from across Lebanon and beyond. The celebrations continue throughout the day with processions, veneration of relics, and special blessings for the sick. Many pilgrims walk from Byblos or other nearby towns as a penitential practice, arriving barefoot or carrying candles.
Maronite Feast — Third Sunday of July
In the Maronite liturgical calendar, Saint Charbel's feast is celebrated on the third Sunday of July, which often coincides with or falls close to the universal July 24 celebration. This Sunday feast allows Maronite parishes throughout Lebanon, the Middle East, and the global Maronite diaspora to celebrate their beloved saint with special solemnity during Sunday liturgies. At Annaya, this sometimes results in an extended period of celebration spanning multiple days when the dates fall close together. The Maronite celebration emphasizes the saint's particular connection to Lebanese Maronite identity and spirituality, with traditional Syriac-Aramaic chants, incense ceremonies, and preaching focused on Charbel's witness to Maronite monastic tradition. Lebanese expatriates often time return visits to their homeland to coincide with this feast, creating reunions of families and communities centered on pilgrimage to the saint's tomb.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Mawal Annaya Hotel ⭐⭐⭐ — Located just ten minutes' drive from the Monastery of Saint Maron-Annaya, this family-run hotel offers ten comfortable rooms with balconies providing mountain views, satellite television, air conditioning, and private bathrooms. The intimate size creates a guesthouse atmosphere ideal for pilgrims seeking quiet accommodations near the shrine. Breakfast is included, and the staff can arrange transportation to the monastery and provide guidance on pilgrimage schedules and local customs. The hotel is approximately 45 kilometers from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and fifteen minutes by car from cultural sites in Byblos. Website
Saint Charbel Oasis Hostel (pilgrim accommodation) — Simple, budget-friendly lodging operated near the monastery complex specifically for pilgrims. Basic rooms with shared facilities provide clean, modest accommodations in the spirit of pilgrimage simplicity. Particularly busy during major feast days when advance booking is essential. Contact the hostel directly at +961 9 760241 for availability and current rates.
Byblos Sur Mer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — For pilgrims desiring luxury accommodations, this boutique hotel in Byblos offers an exceptional base just seventeen kilometers from Annaya. The hotel combines elegant contemporary design with Lebanese hospitality, featuring spacious rooms and suites, fine dining, spa services, and stunning Mediterranean views. The historic old city of Byblos, with its Crusader castle, ancient Phoenician ruins, and picturesque harbor, provides cultural enrichment before or after pilgrimage to Annaya. The hotel can arrange private transportation to the monastery. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Monoberge Byblos Hotel ⭐⭐⭐ — Comfortable mid-range hotel in Byblos town center, offering good value for pilgrims who prefer to stay in the coastal city and make day trips to Annaya. Modern amenities include air-conditioned rooms, restaurant, and convenient access to Byblos old souk and archaeological sites. Approximately twenty minutes by car to the monastery. Reserve this hotel
🚗 Getting There
By Air: Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) is the nearest international airport, approximately 45 kilometers from Annaya. The airport serves flights from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and limited intercontinental connections. From the airport, taxis to Annaya cost approximately $40-50 (one hour depending on traffic). Uber and Careem operate in Beirut but coverage in mountain areas is limited; negotiate fares in advance or arrange transport through your hotel.
By Car: From Beirut, take the coastal highway north toward Byblos (Jbeil), then follow signs inland toward Annaya. The seventeen-kilometer drive from Byblos to Annaya climbs through beautiful mountain scenery on winding roads—drive cautiously, especially during winter months when roads may be icy at higher elevations. Parking is available at the monastery complex, though during major feast days arrive early as spaces fill quickly. GPS coordinates for the basilica: 34.116220, 35.759940.
Local Transport: Within the Annaya-Byblos area, taxis can be arranged through hotels or by calling local numbers. During major pilgrimage days, shuttle vans often run between Byblos and Annaya, though schedules are informal—inquire at your hotel or at the Byblos tourist information office.
📚 Further Reading
Elias Turk. Lamp of Eternal Lights: The Biography of Saint Charbel Makhlouf 1828-1898 — The most comprehensive English-language biography, drawing on monastery archives and eyewitness testimonies.
Fr. Hogan Williams. St. Charbel Makhlouf Novena For Healing — Practical prayer guide featuring the traditional nine-day novena to Saint Charbel.
Rev. Sr. Immaculata. Novena to St Charbel Makhlouf — Compact devotional booklet with prayers, litanies, and meditations.
Online Resources:
Vatican News: St. Charbel Makhlouf — Official Vatican coverage including papal visits and canonization history.
Catholic Online: St. Charbel — Concise hagiography with liturgical information and prayers.
🎥 Recommended Videos
Charbel: An Intimate Biography — EWTN documentary exploring Saint Charbel's life through interviews with Maronite monks and archival footage of the exhumations.
🔗 Useful Links
Monastery of Saint Maron-Annaya — Official monastery site with Mass schedules and pilgrimage information.
Eparchy of Jbeil — The Maronite diocese overseeing Annaya.
Maronite Church Resources — Educational resources on Maronite theology, liturgy, and spirituality.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Harissa (15 km south) — The Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, crowned by a massive bronze statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking Beirut and the Mediterranean.
Byblos (Jbeil) (17 km west) — One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Byblos features significant Catholic heritage including Crusader churches, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and the ancient Phoenician temple ruins. While not exclusively a pilgrimage destination, the city's Christian history and proximity to Annaya make it a natural addition to pilgrimage itineraries, offering rich historical and cultural context for understanding Lebanese Christianity.
Qadisha Valley (65 km north) — UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Holy Valley, cradle of Maronite monasticism since the fourth century. The valley shelters ancient monasteries carved into cliff faces, hermit caves, and the shrine of Saint Charbel's contemporary, Saint Rafqa (Rafka) of Himlaya, another Lebanese monastic saint canonized in 2001. The Valley's dramatic natural beauty and profound spiritual atmosphere provide insight into the eremitical tradition that shaped Saint Charbel's vocation.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"A hermit of Mount Lebanon is enrolled in the number of the blessed… a new eminent member of monastic sanctity has by his example and his intercession enriched the entire Christian people… may he make us understand, in a world largely fascinated by wealth and comfort, the paramount value of poverty, penance and asceticism, to liberate the soul in its ascent to God." — Pope Paul VI, Canonization Homily for Saint Charbel Makhlouf, October 9, 1977
