Patriotic Commitment
At the beginning of the years fifty, the Maronite Central Council knew some political differences among its members. In order to preserve the social action far from any conflict and to permit to its members to open to political horizons of their choices, the Council encouraged the foundation of an entity of an exclusively political aim. This is how the Maronite League was created in August 1952.
The role of the Maronite Central Council in the foundation of the Maronite League was of an importance such as from 1952 till 1969, the president of the Maronite Central Council was elected as a matter of course president of the Maronite League and during long time all the members of the council were as of right members of the League. In 1959, the parliament member Chaker ABOU-SLEIMAN who was not member of the Maronite Central Council acceded to the presidency of the League. Since then, every institution has his own president without that this new situation affects the tight links that unify the two institutions till today date.
Today, the activity of the Maronite Central Council is oriented more and more towards the charitable and humanitarian social fields without for all that to move away from the commitment at the national level.
The Maronite Central Council Medal
The “Maronite Central Council Medal” is an award of the Central Council of the Maronite Societies. The medal was introduced in 1998 to commemorate the one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Central Council.
The medal is cast in gold or silver. On the obverse side of the medal is a maronite cross and on the reverse side is embossed in arabic the words “Maronite Central Council”. The medal’s ribbon is green and yellow and is worn on the left side of breast.
The medal is bestowed on those women and men who aid, promote, and assist in making the activities of the Council successful. It is currently given for distinguished service to the Central Council of the Maronite Societies.
The medal has been awarded 60 times to 59 individual recipients and one hospital.
The Maronite Central Council Gold Medal
The Maronite Central Council Silver Medal
The Maronite Central Council Bronze Medal
Rosette of the Maronite Central Council Gold Medal
Rosette of the Maronite Central Council Silver Medal
Rosette of the Maronite Central Council Bronze Medal
Great Cross of the Maronite Central Council
1876 – 2011 (ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE YEARS)
The “Great Cross” of the Maronite Central Council was instituted in 2011 to commemorate the one hundred and thirty fifth anniversary of the foundation of the council.
The decoration is a 60 mm diameter enameled star with five double yellow and green rays which reflects the colors of the Council. The rays are linked by a green enameled ring bearing five maronite crosses. At the center of the star, a medallion decorated with oak leaves present on the obverse the effigy of the Maronite cross with in circular, in the upper part the words ” المجلس العام الماروني” , , and in the bottom part the words “ Conseil Central Maronite”. On the reverse are the embossed words “الملجلس العام الماروني.” The star is suspended from a laurel wreath with enamel, with green leaves.
The medal is suspended to a satin “Gros Grain” ribbon with a 40 mm yellow and green stripe, is worn around the neck.
The reduced format of the” Great Cross” is worn on the jacket left side and is the exact replica of the “Great Cross”.
The dignity of “Great Cross” is automatically conferred to the Presidents of the Lebanese republic, the Maronite Patriarchs and the Presidents of the Central Maronite Council. It is also conferred to the benefactors who help, encourage and assist the Central Maronite Council in its works and achievements.
For the nomination to the dignity of “Great Cross”, the Central Maronite Council President addresses proposals to the executive committee where the decisions are taken.
A patent bearing the signature of the Central Maronite Council President and that of the secretary general are delivered during the remittance of the decoration to all dignitaries who are awarded the “Great Cross” of the Maronite Central Council.
