Istifan al-Duwayhi
Istifan al-Duwayhi or Estephan El Douaihy (Arabic: اسطفانوس الثاني بطرس الدويهي / ALA-LC: Isṭifānūs al-thānī Buṭrus al-Duwayhī; French: Étienne Douaihi; Latin: Stephanus Dovaihi; Italian: Stefano El Douaihy; 2 August 1630 – 3 May 1704) was the 57th Patriarch of the Maronite Church, serving from 1670 until his death. He was born in Ehden, Lebanon.
Venerable Istifan al-Duwayhi اسطفانوس الثاني | |
|---|---|
| Patriarch of Antioch | |
| Church | Maronite Church |
| See | Patriarch of Antioch |
| Elected | 20 May 1670 |
| Term ended | 3 May 1704 |
| Predecessor | George Rizqallah Beseb'ely |
| Successor | Gabriel of Blaouza |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 25 March 1656 (Priest) by John Safrawy |
| Consecration | 8 July 1668 (Bishop) by George Rizqallah Beseb'ely |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 August 1630 |
| Died | 3 May 1704 (aged 73) Qannoubine, Lebanon |
| Parents | Father: Mikhayil Moussa El Douaihy, Mother: Mariam El Douaihy. |
| Sainthood | |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
He is considered one of the major Lebanese historians of the 17th century and was known as “The Father of Maronite History”, “Pillar of the Maronite Church”, “The Second Chrysostom”, “Splendor of the Maronite Nation”, and “The Glory of Lebanon and the Maronites”. After his death, he was declared a Servant of God by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On 3 July 2008 Pope Benedict XVI declared him Venerable. In March 2024, Pope Francis cleared the way for his beatification.