Stephan Doueihi

Biography

Stephan Doueihi (Arabic: إستيفان دوئيحي; 2 August 1630 – 3 May 1704) was a Maronite church figure, historian, and patriarch of the Maronite Church.

### Early Life and Education

He was born in Ehden, Lebanon, to an aristocratic family that had already produced several prelates. After being orphaned at the age of three, he received adequate cultural and Christian formation. He demonstrated many natural gifts, which he would later utilize in his life's work.

Career

### Missionary Work

Since 1655, Doueihi has been a missionary in the Middle East. This experience would lay the foundation for his future role as patriarch of the Maronite Church.

### Bishop and Patriarch

From 1668, he was bishop of the Maronite community. In 1670, he became the seventh and fifty-seventh Patriarch of the Maronite Church, a position he held until his death in 1704.

Legacy

Doueihi is considered one of the most prominent Lebanese historians of the 17th century. He has been nicknamed "Abu al-Tarikh al-Maroni" ("Father of Maronite History"), "Amid al-Kanisa al-Maroniya" ("Pillar of the Maronite Church"), "Dhahabi al-Fum al-Thani" ("The Second Golden Tongue"), "Azim al-Ummah al-Maroniya" ("Greatness of the Maronite Nation"), and "Majd Lubnan wa'l-Mawarin" ("Pride of Lebanon and the Maronites").

Recognition

On July 3, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to draft a decree on the virtues of Patriarch Doueihi. This step is an important part of the ongoing process of beatification, which would declare him Venerable from the moment the decree is published.

Death

Doueihi died on May 3, 1704, at Kannubin Monastery near Tripoli, Lebanon.