Youssef HOBEISH from Sahel Alma (1823– 1845)

From Maronite History

Patriarch Hobeish insisted upon the application of the Code of the Lebanese Council in 1736, Especially as regards to the religious instruction and preaching, and the encouragement of seminaries for the education of the clergy. He founded two new seminaries, those of Mar 'Abdas Herheraya and St. Serge of Rayfun. In these two seminaries and in those of Kefar-Hay Rumieh, and 'Ayn-Warqa he made the teaching of Syriac, Arabic, Italian, Latin, philosophy, theology and physical sciences obligatory. In 1840, he founded a religious congregation of missionaries for the purpose of teaching religion in the villages and towns.

Patriarch Hobeish was a true apostle. He use to visit the parishes of his Patriarchate, instructing the priests in their functions and obligations, teaching them theology, settling local quarrels and reuniting families. In the turbulent years of the Egyptian invasion between 1831 and 1840, Lebanon became the arena of international conflicts involving France, Britain, Turkey, Austria, Prussia and other powers. In the midst of the turmoil, Patriarch Hobeish succeeded in unifying both the Maronite community and the Lebanese multiconfessional population.

Patriarch Hobeish moved the patriarchal residence from Qannubeen valley to Dimane. While Yusif Hobeish was Patriarch, Lebanon was divided into two administrative districts (Qaim-maqamat); one Maronite and one Druze. Amir Haydar Abi-Lama was chosen by the Patriarch to be the governor of the Maronite district.

Patriarch Hobeish died on the 23rd of May 1845, and was buried in the church of Qannubeen.