History
Lebanon in the Period of Cheikh Abi Nader El Khazen
Written in year 2006
In 1621, Emir Fakhr Al Din appointed Cheikh Abi Nader and his uncle Cheikh Abi Safi el Khazen governors of Bsharri and assigned them the whole country. Following this, Cheikh Abi Nader el Khazen and his relatives, Khazen Cheikhs, started developing Keserwan their county and confirm its status building churches and abbeys; they promoted the Catholic faith in areas they controlled whether in Mount Lebanon or else where; this boosted them fame and glory.
Cheikh Abi Nader had a son called Abi Nawfal; a brilliant mind and excellent discretion led with rich experience in managing authority. Abi Nawfal was a Europeanised man and his father, Cheikh Abi Nader, relied on him majorly and assigned him critical issues whether in his presence or absence as to Emir Fakhr Al Din’s governing and authority. Cheikh Abi Nader would send him to Tripoli on his behalf to manage matters of Emir Hussein, son of Emir Fakhr Al Din, where he had to remain for longer periods; His extraordinary management gained him appreciation which was indicated in history while he made Jbeil Castle in Batroun his residence.
In 1630, an earthquake caused great damage to the castle which led to the death of his son Cheikh Nawfal the first and his wife, a Hobeiche family daughter and mother of Cheikh Nawfal the first. A year after in 1631, Cheikh Abi Nawfal rebuilt the castle.