Early Life and Background
Iskander Obeid was a resident of Lebanon. Like many of his compatriots, Iskander was raised in a devout Christian family and maintained a strong personal faith throughout his life. His religious upbringing instilled in him a sense of devotion and trust in the power of prayer and the intercession of saints. He lived a simple life as a blacksmith in Baddabt, Lebanon.
The Illness
In 1925, while working on a piece of metal in his workshop, Iskander was struck by a shard of metal in his eye. There was severe damage to his eye, which doctors concluded was irreparable. Iskander carried on working and supporting his family for years, until he was again struck by a piece of metal in the same eye in 1937. Iskander was left with intense pain and reduced vision. Doctors concluded that the only course of treatment was to fully remove the damaged eye, in an attempt to manage pain. Iskander declined the surgery and offered up his suffering in the hopes that a miracle could cure him. In 1950, Iskander began to reverently pray to St. Sharbel for a miracle. One night he was met by St. Sharbel in a dream, who encouraged the blacksmith to make a pilgrimage to St. Sharbels hermitage. On October 18th, Iskander made his way to the hermitage where he received confession and then the Holy Eucharist before spending the evening in prayer. During that night, his eye caused him more pain than he had ever experienced before.
The next morning, Iskander awoke to find that his vision had been completely restored and his eye no longer pained him. Upon further investigation, doctors and local clergy confirmed that the healing was in fact miraculous. His eye was completely regenerated.