Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon

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Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians
اللبنانيين المسيحيين الروم الأرثوذكس
Nancy Ajram.jpg Fairuz in btd concert 2001.jpgCyrine AbdelNour 66ème Festival de Venise (Mostra) 4.jpgTaleb mug.JPGFagerges hires1.jpgElie Mitri, Cines del Sur 2007.jpgCharles Debbas.jpgCharlesmalik.jpgAntun Saadeh.jpgAssaad Hardan.JPGElias-Murr.JPEGMichel-Sassine-Pope.jpgElias Khoury2.jpg

Nancy Ajram • Fairuz • Cyrine Abdelnour • Nassim Nicholas Taleb • Fawaz Gerges • Elie Mitri • Charles Debbas • Charles Malik • Antun Saadeh • Assaad Hardan • Elias Murr • Michel Georges Sassine • Elias Khoury
Total population
300,000-400,000[1][2][3]
Languages

Vernacular:
Lebanese Arabic
Religion

Christianity (Greek Orthodox)
Related ethnic groups

Other Lebanese & Levantine Arabs  • Ghassanids Arabs  • Phoenicians  • Byzantine Greeks
An estimate of the area distribution of Lebanon's main religious groups
Lebanon religious groups distribution

Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon refers to adherents of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Lebanon, which is the second largest Christian denomination in the country after the Maronites.

Contents

History [edit]

The Greek Orthodox adhere to the Orthodox Eastern Church, which is composed of several autocephalous jurisdictions united by common doctrine and by their use of the Byzantine rite. They are the second largest Christian denomination within Christianity in Lebanon. Historically, these churches grew out of the four Eastern Patriarchates (Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople), which came to oppose the views and claims of the Popes of Rome. The final split between Rome and the Eastern Church took place in 1054. From that time, with the exception of a brief period of reunion in the fifteenth century, the Eastern Church has continued to reject the claim of the Roman patriarchate to universal supremacy and has rejected the concept of papal infallibility. Doctrinally, the main point at issue between the Eastern and Western Churches is that of the procession of the Holy Spirit. There are also divergences in ritual and discipline.

The Greek Orthodox include many free-holders, and the community is less dominated by large landowners than other Christian denominations. In present-day Lebanon, the Greek Orthodox Christians have become increasingly urbanized, and form a major part of the commercial and professional class of Beirut and other cities. Many are found in the Southeast (Nabatieh/Beqaa) and North, near Tripoli. They are highly educated and well-versed in finance. The rite has become known in the past for its pan-Arab orientation, possibly because it exists in various parts of the Arab world. The church has often served as a bridge between Lebanese Christians and the Arab countries.

Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians have a long and continuous association with Greek Orthodox Churches in European countries like Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania. The church exists in many parts of the Arab world and Greek Orthodox Christians have often been noted for pan-Arab or pan-Syrian leanings; historically, it has had less dealings with Western countries than the Maronite Church. In present-day Lebanon, the Greek Orthodox have become increasingly urbanized, and form a major part of the commercial and professional class of Beirut. Many other are found in the Koura and also in Akkar, Batroun, Matn, Aley, Zahlé, Miniyeh-Danniyeh, Hasbaya, Baabda, Marjeyoun, Tripoli, Rashaya, Jbeil and Zgharta.[citation needed] Cities and towns with a majority Greek Orthodox population in Lebanon are Achrafieh, Amioun, Kousba, Anfeh, Deddeh, Kfaraakka, Aaba, Afsdik, Bdebba, Batroumine, Bishmizzine, Btourram, Bkeftine, Bsarma, Btaaboura, Darchmezzine, Fih, Kaftoun, Kelhat, Kfarhata, Kfarhazir, Kfarsaroun, Ras Maska, Miniara, Cheikh Mohammad, Zawarib, Hamat, Douma, Dhour El Choueir, Bteghrine, Mansourieh, Broummana, Kafarakab, Bhamdoun, Souk El Gharb, Marjayoun, Deir Mimas, Rachaya Al Foukhar, Aita al-Foukhar etc. Cities and towns with an important Greek Orthodox minority are Ras Beirut, Tripoli, El Mina, Chekka, Bourj Hammoud, Zahleh, Halba, Batroun, Bikfaya, Baskinta, Antelias, Ras el Matn, Aley, Bechamoun, Machgara, Hasbaya, Kfeir, Niha Bekaa, r'it and others.[citation needed] They are highly educated and well-versed in finance.[citation needed] The Greek Orthodox church has often served as a bridge between Lebanese Christians and the Arab countries. The Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians are believed to constitute about 8% of the total population of Lebanon,[4][5] including the Palestinian Greek Orthodox community, many of whom have been given Lebanese citizenship. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the Deputy Prime Minister in Lebanon are obligated to be Greek Orthodox.[6] Within the Lebanese context, especially political, the group is seen as an ethnoreligious group.[7][8]

The political parties, supported by the community are the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, the Lebanese Communist Party, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Marada Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb, the Democratic Left Movement and the Future Movement. Within the Lebanese context, especially political, the group is seen as an ethnoreligious group.[9][10]

Notable Greek Orthodox figures in Lebanon [edit]

Gallery [edit]

  • Saint George Orthodox Cathedral in Downtown Beirut

  • The St. Georges Greek-Orthodox Cathedral on Nejme Square

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Lebanon – International Religious Freedom Report 2010 U.S. Department of State. Retrieved on 14 February 2010.
  3. ^ Lebanon - July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report U.S. Department of State. Retrieved on 1 June 2012.
  4. ^ Lebanon – International Religious Freedom Report 2010 U.S. Department of State. Retrieved on 14 February 2010.
  5. ^ Lebanon - July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report U.S. Department of State. Retrieved on 1 June 2012.
  6. ^ Harb, Imad (March 2006). "Lebanon's Confessionalism: Problems and Prospects". USIPeace Briefing. United States Institute of Peace. Archived from the original on 9 July 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2009. 
  7. ^ [2]
  8. ^ [3]
  9. ^ [4]
  10. ^ [5]
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