Our Lady of Lebanon [Maronite]

History of the Parish

Southern Lebanese (Maronite) Christians began emigrating to the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia after the 1860 revolution against Ottoman rule and again during the persecutions of World War I, which killed nearly half the remaining Maronite population. Roger Saad is recorded as the first Lebanese settler in Wheeling (about 1888). In 1906 the Rev. Paul K. Abraham offered the first Maronite liturgy for the Wheeling community, and by 1922 a larger church was built on what is still the parish site at 2216 Eoff Street. The 1932 fire and the survival of the Marian portrait inspired the rebuilding effort and the launch of the Mahrajan festival in 1933, which has continued ever since to fund the maintenance of the historic church.

• 1906 — first liturgy offered by Rev. Paul K. Abraham
• 1922 — second, larger church built on the Eoff Street site
• December 19, 1932 — fire destroys the 1922 church; the portrait of Our Lady of Lebanon is preserved
• 1933 — first Mahrajan (Lebanese Festival) held to raise rebuilding funds
• Present church constructed after the fire on the same Eoff Street location
• 2013 — major steeple restoration returning it to the original 1922 design, plus electronic chimes

The 1932 Fire and the Miraculous Portrait

The defining story of the parish is the survival of the oil portrait of Our Lady of Lebanon through the 1932 fire. A firefighter at the scene reported that when he directed a high-pressure hose at the image, the stream of water parted and did not touch the painting. Later the picture is said to have plunged twenty-five feet when the frame gave way, but the delicate oils were undamaged. Parish tradition holds that Mary then appeared in a dream to both the bishop and the pastor with the message that the portrait be installed above the main altar, where — surrounded by the Cedars of Lebanon — it can be seen above the tabernacle today.

• Life-sized framed oil portrait (4′ × 6′) of Our Lady of Lebanon
• Displayed in the sanctuary directly above the tabernacle and main altar
• Set against the Cedars of Lebanon, the symbol of the title 'As-Saidy' (The Noble Lady)
• Recounted in a contemporaneous Wheeling News-Register report and in the parish's own testimony by firefighters

Schedule of Divine Liturgy

The Maronite Divine Liturgy is offered in the Antiochene Syriac tradition, with English used for the readings and congregational parts. The Rosary and Litany of Our Lady begin 20 minutes before every weekend Mass and before the Tuesday and Thursday noon Masses. Holy Days follow a 10:30 a.m. Mass with a vigil Mass the evening before at 6:00 p.m.

Sacraments

Arrangements for sacraments are made through Msgr. Bakhos Chidiac. Baptisms should be arranged as soon after birth as possible, with at least one Catholic Godparent. Weddings require at least six months' notice before any other plans are made. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is available by notifying the Pastor at the rectory.

• Baptism — call the Pastor as soon as the baby is born; at least one Catholic Godparent
• Weddings — at least six months' notice required
• Anointing of the Sick / Sick Calls — Pastor: 304-233-1688
• Reconciliation — see Adoration section
• Eucharist — see Mass schedule

Parish Organizations and Ministries

Our Lady of Lebanon is sustained by a network of parish organizations, councils, and volunteers whose members are named in the weekly bulletin. Together they organize the liturgy, the Mahrajan, the parish hall, the Cedar Club (parish preservation and social group), the Women's Society, and the choir.

• Parish Council — Lou Khourey, Mike Linton, Rita Strawn, P.J. Lenz, Mary Stees
• Choir — Earl Duffy, Lou Khourey, Robert Harris, Shelly Hancher, Ted Olinski, Natalie Horner
• Cedar Club — Linda Duffy, President
• Women's Society — Carol Dougherty, President
• Mahrajan (Festival) Committee
• Altar Boys — Dalton Haas, Shaun Hancher, Christopher AlKhouri & Luke Lenz
• Sacristan — Mike Linton
• Bulletin Coordinator — Thomasina Geimer
• Haas Foundation

Mahrajan — The Lebanese Festival

The Mahrajan ('festival' in Arabic) began in 1933 to fund the rebuilding of the church after the 1932 fire and has continued for more than 80 years. It is held in mid-August at Oglebay Park (Site 1, Levenson Shelter) in Wheeling and opens with a 10:30 a.m. Maronite Catholic liturgy, followed by Lebanese food, live Middle Eastern music (David Hakim Ensemble of Cleveland) and traditional dance (Troupe Bint il Nahar). Admission, parking, and entertainment are free; food and beverages are sold à la carte ($1–$7). All proceeds benefit Our Lady of Lebanon Church.

• Begun in 1933, more than 80 years running
• Held at Oglebay Park, Site 1, Levenson Shelter
• Opens with 10:30 a.m. Maronite Catholic liturgy
• Traditional foods: kibbee, lamb shish kabob, stuffed grape leaves, shawarma, falafel, tabbouli, hummus, baklava
• Live music by the David Hakim Ensemble; dance by Troupe Bint il Nahar
• Free admission, parking, and entertainment
• Children's games and hand-crafted vendors

Music and Liturgical Arts

Music at Our Lady of Lebanon has long been a distinctive feature of the parish liturgy. The bulletin lists a choir with named cantors and soloists, and a long-serving organist — Evelyn Ghaphery — was mourned by the parish after her passing and memorialized for her years of service. Mary Lee Porter is named as organist in later bulletins. The Maronite hymnal draws on both Arabic/Syriac and English traditions.

• Organist — Evelyn Ghaphery (deceased); succeeded by Mary Lee Porter
• Choir members — Earl Duffy, Lou Khourey, Robert Harris, Shelly Hancher, Ted Olinski, Natalie Horner
• Live Middle Eastern music featured at the Mahrajan

Facilities and Cedar Hall

The parish operates the historic church and an adjoining Cedar Hall, available for rental for parish and community events. The hall is supported by the Cedar Club; rental inquiries are handled by the church office.

• Cedar Hall rental — call 304-233-1688 or 304-639-1372
• Parking adjacent to church for parishioners and visitors at all times
• 2013 steeple restoration (original 1922 design)
• Electronic chimes added with the steeple restoration

Visiting and Joining the Parish

Visitors and new parishioners are warmly welcomed. The bulletin invites newcomers to officially register as members of the parish. The Maronite tradition is known for its hospitality — the parish greeting is 'Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Sharfouna!' ('You are all welcome to be one of our family').

• Parish greeting: 'Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Sharfouna!'
• New parishioners encouraged to officially register with the rectory
• Bulletins and announcements can be submitted to Msgr. Bakhos by noon on Tuesdays
• Parish hall (Cedar Hall) available to rent for community events

Beliefs and Maronite Identity

Maronites descend from the first Christians of Antioch, founded by the Apostle Peter, and follow St. Maron, a 4th-century Syrian monk. While in full communion with Rome (the patriarch of Antioch answers to the pope), they retain the Syriac culture and celebrate the liturgy in Aramaic, the language of Jesus. Our Lady of Lebanon belongs ecclesiastically to the Maronite Diocese of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, even though it is geographically in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston.

• Maronite Catholic rite — Antiochene Syriac tradition
• Liturgy celebrated in Aramaic and English
• Eparchy: Maronite Diocese of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles
• Geographic diocese: Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston

Contact and Communications

The parish maintains an official website at ololwv.com, an email inbox at [email protected], and Facebook pages under 'ololwv' and 'Lebanesefest'. A weekly bulletin is published with parish announcements and the calendar of events.

• Rectory phone: (304) 233-1688
• Fax: (304) 233-4714
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.ololwv.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/ololwv and facebook.com/Lebanesefest
• Mahrajan website: www.lebanesefest.org
• Bulletin announcements deadline: Tuesday noon
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