Sts Cyprian & Justine Monastery, Kfifan, Caza Batroun, Lebanon.
The Monastery of Saint Cyprien and Justinian in Kfifane village near Batroun
Built well before the 17th century, in 1766 the Lebanese Maronite Order
transformed the monastery into a seminary for study of theology, philosophy,
literature and law. Among its students was not only Saint Hardini but also
Saint Charbel Makhlouf, who in 1989 was canonized as a saint.
The Monastery of Saint Cyprien and Justinian in Kfifane village is today a
pilgrimage site thanks:
1- to Saint Nematallah Kassab Al-Hardini, who is buried in the modest place,
2- to Blessed Brother Estephan Nehmeh, who is buried in this monastery.
The wing, located within the Monastery of Sts Cyprian & Justine, Kfifan, is
dedicated to the life of St. Youssef Kessab, born in Hardine in 1808, from a
devout Maronite Catholic family.
Joining the Maronite Lebanese Order of Saint Anthony in Houb, he was ordained
to the sacred priesthood in the monastery of Saints Qobrianos and Youstina, in
Kfifan in 1833 and his life became an exemple of obedience and uninterrupted
prayer. An outstanding linguist, notably in the Arab and Syriac languages,
Nimatullah died in the monastery in 1858 and his body was preserved in a
sealed coffin. In 1926, his beatification case was presented to the Holy Sea
in Rome, which was celebrated in 1998, with Pope John Paul II presiding.
On the holy ground of Lebanon, Brother Estephan Nehme saw the light, under the
wings of the Maronite Church he grew up and in the care of the Lebanese Order
he was raised.
He was inspired by the spirit of worship and the motivation of holiness
transferring them in his turn to upcoming generations.
Born in Lehfed, on March 8th, 1889, his parents named him Youssef. Growing up,
he preferred to not to be very sociable, even among family.On the contrary, he
preferred to stay at home and pray late at night. Afterwards, he went to bed
and repeated:
“God can see me, God can see me. Jesus, Mary and Saint
Joseph, help me at the moment of death.”
In 1905, when he was 16 year old, Youssef left his parental house heading to
the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justine in Kfifane in order to become
monk. Eight days later, he wore the novices’ cassock and took the name of “Estephanos”.
On August 23rd, 1907, the Superior of the Convent, Father Youssef Saker from
Kfoun, blessed the simple vows of Brother Estephan who wore the novices’
cassock. Afterwards, B. Estephan spent a 31 year monastic life.
Brother Estephan was a “worker monk”. He worked in the fields and gardens of
the monastery, carrying his childhood motto of “God sees me” in all his
efforts. Brother Estephan had a pious life that ended virtuously at the
Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justine, on August 30th, 1938.
This dear monk passed away at the age of 49. He deceased full of holiness and
graces. His work in the field as well as his presence in the different
convents, were printed by his humanitarian, Christian and monastic spirit. His
prints are still alive and still shining until present. Brother Estephan was
buried in the tomb of monks in the monastery of Kfifane. On March 10th, 1951,
while monks were burying the late Father Youssef Souraty who spent his sunset
in this convent, they found the body of Brother Estephan non decayed.
Then, he was moved to a new tomb where he lays today and where visitors seek
his intercession or ask the grace of healing. Brother Estephan was recognized
blessed on the altar of the Lord on June 27th, 2010 at the Monastery of Saints
Cyprian and Justine in Kfifane.
