| Introduction:
Writing about Hadsheet history prompts us to write about the history
of the Maronites in North Lebanon, even in short, because it forms the
essential base in order to understand the setting up of Hadsheet society.
The political status:
Our region was under the Coastal Phoenicia's management (Lebanese coast and West
Mountains towering over it) while its political center was Tyre City.
Byzantines Generals and Governors were ruling alongside with the local
inhabitants who helped them in military missions and various duties.
All were followers of the Byzantine Governor who took Antioch as his capital.
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Types of population:
Lebanon had a mixed population while the original population consisted of the
last Canaanites (Phoenicians and Aramaeans who were united under the name of
Syriacs).
Social status:
The religious disputes and bloodcurdling fights against the Maronites, who are
one in Christ, led the people in Assi basin (Syria) to migrate towards various
severe highlands, such as the Northern Lebanese Highlands, to take cover from
enemies.
This does not imply that those highlands were unoccupied, because of the
presence of Romanian and Byzantine ancient monuments in the high Lebanese
western mountains, precisely in Kfarselwan, Baskinta and Kfazibizan, some of
which were military fortresses and temples that had been converted into
Churches; but we can rather say that the effect of these groups was feeble as
reflected in the religious conversion.
However, the new society was somehow closed and did not enter a new stage of
progress until the massive arrival of the Maronites who have played an
important role throughout its evolvement.
At that time (the second decade of the 7th century A.D.), Saint John Maroon
moved to Lebanon (according to Maronites' dates and traditions) as a Bishop for
Batroun and Phoenicia which implies that the Maronites in the North were
increasing by great numbers.
According to crusaders' historian in the 12th century, William el Soury, they
reached 40 thousand. As for Father Lamnis, he said that they spread in 30
villages in the North, speaking and writing both Aramaean and Syriac languages.
It is believed that these villages formed small societies interlinked by a
religious bond (an independent religious presidency under the papacy control
for the pope was always concerned about the decisions of the council) and
politically, under the authority of the Byzantines as previously mentioned.
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Nomination: |
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There are several stories, namely:
Phoenician: (Hadash) new moon or half-moon, so Hadsheet would mean the
"new one" or the "new village".
Syriac: It means one of the six temples that were built by Batlimos the
5th , King of Egypt in Mount Lebanon according to the story narrated by Sheikh
Antonios Abi Khattar in his book "The Synopsis of Lebanon's History", (kept as
a reference at the Jesuits Fathers' library)
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Ancientness of the City |
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It is one of the oldest cities in North Lebanon and it was made the religious
and military center of the Romans and the existence of the Roman monuments
proves this fact as evidence.
In the village square a sculpture of a statue of Kadicha Governor is found as
well as a stairs that collapsed with time and which rocks were used to build
the Lady Choukeif Church and the wall protecting it from the Northern side
while Assi valley is the natural enclosure for the other three sides.
Jesuit archeologist, Father Maurice Nalon, believes that the Romans used
Hadsheet to protect Kadicha valley on their way from Tripoli, Amioun, Bziza,
Ain Akrin, Hadsheet to the Cedars of the Lord due to its natural irreproachable
location.
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Hadsheet in the Middle Ages (its role):
At that time, the features of the Hadsheeti society became more visible and
helped greatly in major religious and political improvements that the city
witnessed.
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Its religious role |
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There are many historical evidences indicating that our society
helped in keeping the sect from collapsing against other beliefs. For example:
- Patriarch Daniel Hadsheeti 1278:
In his era, the Maronites extracted the Chrism from olive oil and balm grease
after it was extracted from 12 different greases. He died as a martyr while
fighting courageously the Mameluk invaders for 40 days at Ehden gate.
- David Ben Joseline:
He was ordained in 1401 by the Patriarch John El Jaji and it seemed that this
Bishop was a historian. He was succeeded by his nephew, David son of John Ben
Joseline who was a historian and a Bishop in the days of Patriarch Ben Joseph
Ben Jacob famous by the name of son of Hassan.
Among the stories narrated about the constancy of Hadsheet people in serving
the Church, we mention the story of Priest Jacob from Habsha who went on to
Saint Georges' Convent located in Kanoubin valley and surnamed it by the
Convent of Habash. He was then sacked by the people of Hadsheet and was
banished to the prairies.
Among the religious monuments, we mention:
The various Churches all over the village and its valley, namely: the Church of
Saint Romanos, built under the supervision of Priest Bard El Hadsheeti, the
Convent of the Cross which displays many drawings and sculptures on its walls,
the Convent of Saint Chamouna, Mar Sarkis and Bakhos Church.
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Its political role |
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Hadsheet played an important role in leading the society
although this role opposes the Maronites' firm beliefs and the village's
traditions.
In the era of Major Abdul Mon'em Bin Assaf, the Jacobeans entered the society
after it won over the grace of Major Bin Assaf who quarreled with the
Patriarch.
In attempt to reinforce his religious and political position, he called for
some Jacobeans, and among them Hajj Hassan and made Hadsheet as their lodge.
Among the Jacobeans who came to the village is the Priest Hanna who
distinguished himself by changing the religious motives and trying to establish
a laic law for the region's government with the support of the Major, as well
as his brothers, Priest Elija who became a Bishop and Chidiak Gerges, Sheikh of
Hadsheet at that time. |
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The new era:
Hadsheet society is an open society whose extreme value has spread widely
to other regions due to internal and external migrations.
The internal migration is represented by the emigration to the Bekaa region
where many villages were established (El Kaddam; Nabha; Ratel valley), Hamana (
Farhat and Rizk families), and among their distinguished personalities:
President Albert Farhat and former MP Michel Farhat.
There were also many eminent personalities in various educational and economic
fields.
The economic status of Hadsheet:
The main source of economy in Hadsheet society was agriculture. Therefore
irrigation channels were built as well as agrarian networks. Among its
important products are apple, pear, etc…
Although the industry in Hadsheet is still at the rise of its progress, it is
mostly active in the construction field and some craftworks as well as the
production of alcoholic beverages.
The social status in the village:
Hadsheet society consists of a group of families that began to rise in the
Middle Ages where they settled and formed an organized and coherent mass,
deep-rooted in a culture affected by various Lebanese traditions and rituals.
This is due to their involvement with different regions.
All these families come together as one by the bonds of love, cohesion and
solidarity reflected in the people's massive participation in all of the
village's occasions.
Among their traditions, is the preparation of Hrisseh dish in special occasions
(Saint Mary's Day, Saints Sarkis and Bakhos Day etc…). A portion is distributed
to each one of all families as a holiday blessing.
The official establishments consist of the Municipal Committee, the Mayors
Association as well as the Public School, in addition to private establishments
such as Saint Theresa School, and religious ones which act as the main
stimulator in the entire village.
Prepared by George Sarkis el Khoury – Hadsheet
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