St. Elias Catholic Church is located in Roanoke, Virginia. The church belongs to the Maronite Rite, which evolved from the Antiochene Tradition of Catholicism.
 
The Maronite Rite takes its name from a holy hermit called Maron, who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries near Antioch, in Northern Syria. He was a staunch defender of the Catholic faith. His disciples followed in his footsteps. It has been said that their history "is the story of a people who were continually willing to shed their blood and sacrifice their lives and possessions for religious convictions and human liberties."
 
The Maronite Church became a formal entity with the institution of the Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch and the Whole East in the 7th century. The first Patriarch was St. John  Maron chosen in 685 C.E. The residence of the Maronite Patriarch is now in Lebanon.

The Maronite Church professes the same faith and beliefs of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It also administers the seven sacraments instituted by Christ, and obeys all the rules and ordinances issued by our Holy Father the Pope, the successor of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
 
The only difference between the Maronite Church and the Roman Church is in the Divine Liturgy.

The Maronite Mass is partly derived from the Judaic tradition of St. James the Apostle, "brother of the Lord", and first bishop of Jerusalem, expressing the spirit of Eastern monasticism.  Incense is used during the Liturgy to signify that our prayers go heavenward to God as the sweet-smelling smoke of incense rises up. The Sign of Peace is taken from the Altar which represents Christ, and is passed to the congregation in a very dignified and quiet way.  This Rite is the only one in which the Words of Consecration are traditionally chanted in Aramaic, the same language our Lord spoke at the First Mass of the Last Supper. During the Consecration the Chalice is raised by the priest and tilted in the form of a cross (the four corners of the world) indicating the universality of the Redemption through the Blood of Christ.  Before communion, the priest touches the Holy Mysteries (Eucharist) and blesses the people signifying that the remission of sins is bestowed upon us through the Sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Communion is received by the faithful in the mouth, after the priest dips the Host in the Chalice : THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST.
 
Moreover, the Maronites cultivate profound adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, seeing in the Holy Eucharist the Risen Christ who send to us the Sanctifying Spirit. They are also deeply devoted to Mary, the Mother of the Light, hailing her strength and fidelity in the title of "Cedar of Lebanon".