Though they originate from the Orontes river near Homs , Syria and founded a community of monks who left the Syriac Orthodox church .
Many Lebanese Maronite Christians consider themselves of indigenous Phoenician ancestry , arguing that their presence predates the arrival of Arabs in the region .
Though Maronite Christians originate from the Orontes river near Homs , Syria and founded a community of monks who left the Syriac Orthodox church .
Many Lebanese Maronite Christians consider themselves of indigenous Phoenician ancestry , arguing that their presence predates the arrival of Arabs in the region .