 Distribution of Greek Orthodox Christians in Lebanon | |
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Vernacular: Lebanese Arabic Liturgical: Koine Greek and vernacular | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch) |
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Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians (Arabic:المسيحية الأرثوذكسية الرومية في لبنان) refers toLebanese people who are adherents of theGreek Orthodox Church of Antioch inLebanon, which is anautocephalousGreek Orthodox Church within the wider communion ofEastern Orthodox Christianity, and is the second-largestChristian denomination in Lebanon after theMaronite Christians.
Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians are believed to constitute about 8% of the total population of Lebanon.[1][2][3] Most of the Greek Orthodox Christians live either in the capital city ofBeirut, theMetn hinterland, theHasbayya andRashayya districts in the southeast, and theNorth Governorate, in theKoura region (south ofTripoli) andAkkar.
Under the consensus of the unwritten agreement known as theNational Pact among the different political leaders of Lebanon, theDeputy Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon and the Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon are assumed to be Greek Orthodox Christians.[4]
| Year | |
|---|---|
| Greek-Orthodox | |
| 2014[5] | 7.69% |
| 2022[6] | 7.82% |
| Year | Orthodox | |
|---|---|---|
| 2014[7] | 270 180 | |
| 2022[8] | 312 725 | |
| Growth | +42 545 | |
| % growth |  13.60% | |
| Governorates of Lebanon | 2014[9] | 2022[10] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| North Governorate | 70 784 | 12.6% | 81 338 | 12.76% |
| Mount Lebanon Governorate | 60 465 | 9.33% | 72 342 | 10.16% |
| Beirut Governorate | 45 843 | 9.82% | 46 908 | 8.87% |
| Akkar Governorate | 36 798 | 14.29% | 41 244 | 13.65% |
| Beqaa Governorate | 31 578 | 10.5% | 34 941 | 10.16% |
| Nabatieh Governorate | 10 441 | 2.47% | 17 542 | 3.57% |
| Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate | 7 887 | 4.64% | 7 734 | 4.22% |
| South Governorate | 3 588 | 0.91% | 5 827 | 1.26% |
| Baalbek-Hermel Governorate | 2 796 | 0.96% | 4 939 | 1.49% |
| Total Lebanese Orthodox population | 270 180 | 7.69% | 312 725 | 7.82% |
| Governorates of Lebanon | 2014[11] | 2022[12] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| North Governorate | 70 784 | 26.2% | 81 338 | 26.01% |
| Mount Lebanon Governorate | 60 465 | 22.38% | 72 342 | 23.13% |
| Beirut Governorate | 45 843 | 16.97% | 46 908 | 15% |
| Akkar Governorate | 36 798 | 13.62% | 41 244 | 13.19% |
| Beqaa Governorate | 31 578 | 11.69% | 34 941 | 11.17% |
| Nabatieh Governorate | 10 441 | 3.86% | 17 542 | 5.61% |
| Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate | 7 887 | 2.92% | 7 734 | 2.47% |
| South Governorate | 3 588 | 1.33% | 5 827 | 1.86% |
| Baalbek-Hermel Governorate | 2 796 | 1.03% | 4 939 | 1.58% |
| Total Lebanese Orthodox population | 270 180 | 100% | 312 725 | 100% |
The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch adheres to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is composed of several autocephalous jurisdictions united by common doctrine and by their use of theByzantine 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, andConstantinople) of the original five major episcopal sees (thePentarchy) of the Roman Empire, which included Rome. The final split between Rome and the Eastern Churches, who came to oppose the views and claims of the Popes of Rome, took place in 1054. From that time, with the exception of a brief period of reunion in the fifteenth century, the Eastern Churches have continued to reject the claims of the Patriarchate of Rome (the Catholic Church) to universal supremacy and have 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, and 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, Eastern Orthodox Christians have become increasingly urbanized, and form a major part of the commercial and professional class ofBeirut and other cities. Many are found in the Southeast (Nabatieh/Beqaa) andNorth, nearTripoli. They are highly educated and well-versed in finance. The Greek Orthodox church has become known in the Arab world, possibly because it exists in various parts of the region. The Greek Orthodox 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 Eastern Orthodox Churches in European countries likeGreece,Cyprus,Russia,Ukraine,Bulgaria,Serbia, andRomania. The church exists in many parts of the Arab world andGreek Orthodox Christians have often been noted; historically, it has had fewer dealings with Western countries than theMaronite Church, but it does have strong connections to Russia and Greece. The Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians are believed to constitute about 8% of the total population of Lebanon,[2][3] including the Palestinian Greek Orthodox community, many of whom have been givenLebanese citizenship.
Greek Orthodox Christians support a variety of political parties and factions, including non-sectarian parties such as theSyrian Social Nationalist Party, theLebanese Communist Party, and theDemocratic Left Movement; and Christian parties such as theFree Patriotic Movement, theMarada Movement, theLebanese Forces, and theKataeb.
In Lebanon, the Greek Orthodox Christians are found inBeirut, the Southeast (Nabatieh/Beqaa) andNorth, nearTripoli,Koura, and also inAkkar,Batroun,Matn,Aley,Zahlé,Miniyeh-Danniyeh,Hasbaya,Baabda,Marjeyoun,Tripoli,Rashaya,Byblos, andZgharta.
Abou Mizan, Chrine,Achrafieh, rait ,Amioun,Rahbeh,Kousba,Anfeh,Deddeh,Kfaraakka,Aaba,Afsdik,Bdebba,Batroumine,Bishmizzine,Btourram,Bkeftine,Bsarma,Btaaboura,Barsa,Charbila,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, Deir Dalloum, Hmairah, Tal Abbas, Cheikh Taba,Rachaya Al Foukhar,Aita al-Foukhar,Jeddayel,Gharzouz, Gebrayel, Mhaidthe (Bikfaya) and others.
Ras Beirut,Tripoli,El Mina,Chekka,Bourj Hammoud,Zahleh,Halba,Batroun,Bikfaya,Baskinta,Antelias,Ras el Matn,Aley,Bechamoun,Machgara,Hasbaya,Kfeir,Niha Bekaa, Riit, and others.
Beirut was once ruled by seven prominentGreek Orthodox Christian families that formed Beirut'sHigh Society for centuries: Trad, Geday,Fernaine, Araman,Bustros,Sursock, Fayyad, andTueini.
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1 TheLebanese people has the most religious diversity of all peoples in theMiddle East, comprising 18 recognized religious sects recognized by theConstitution of Lebanon. 2 Under the terms of theConstitution of Lebanon, the Druze community is designated as a part of the Lebanese Muslim community. | |||||||
