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Most of the Antioch Church’s documents were carefully preserved by agents, guides of the fraternity (1831), and the servants of the parish who took turns as its leaders or resided in it. We can count 34 documents and evidence that include the handover of the monasticism to the church and to the shrines of Our Lady of the Sea (Maritime), Our Lady of the Gate, and Antioch. The selected document for this website is a testamentary evidence of the ruins of the churches in the city of Byblos, written by Prince Youssef Chehab in 1766. Its text reads:

“We hereby declare that we handed over the Grand Church in the city of Byblos to our beloved Lebanese monks, led by Father Emmanuel, their general head, and the well-known architect who takes care of it. We relieved them of the losses incurred from the pens of the Emir and others and authorized them to carry out all the necessary religious duties, not allowing anyone to interfere. We granted them the power of protection and maintenance, and they pledged themselves to rebuild, establish, and perfect it with all its requirements as necessary. They appointed priests to serve it, who should be faithful and complete in everything that pleases. If anyone among them becomes sick or unacceptable, they should call a secular priest under their authority. After they fulfill their obligations and act accordingly, we will not withdraw our support or accuse anyone. They can manage it as they wish, and we have issued this document for clarification, dated March 1180 Hijri corresponding to 1767 in the Christian era.”

Youssef Chehab