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Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians

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Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians
المسيحية الأرثوذكسية الرومية في لبنان
Distribution of Greek Orthodox Christians in Lebanon
Total population
312,725 in Lebanon (2022)[1]
Languages
Vernacular:
Lebanese Arabic
Liturgical:
Koine Greek and Arabic[2]
Religion
Christianity (Patriarchate of Antioch)

Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians (Arabic: المسيحية الأرثوذكسية الرومية في لبنان) are Lebanese people who follow the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch in Lebanon, an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church within the wider communion of the Eastern Orthodox Church. They are the second-largest Christian denomination in Lebanon, after the Maronite Christians.

Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians are estimated to constitute about 8% of the total population of Lebanon.[3][4][5] Most Greek Orthodox Christians live in the capital city of Beirut, the Metn hinterland, the Hasbayya and Rashayya districts in the southeast, and the North Governorate, in the Koura region (south of Tripoli) and Akkar.

Under the consensus of the unwritten agreement known as the National Pact among the political leaders of Lebanon, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon and the Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon are assumed to be Greek Orthodox Christians.[6]

Demographics

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Year
Greek-Orthodox
2014[7]
7.69%
2022[1]
7.82%
Year Greek-Orthodox
2014[7] 270 180
2022[1] 312 725
Growth +42 545
% growth Increase13.60%
Distribution of Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians in Lebanon
Governorates of Lebanon 2014[7] 2022[1]
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%
Repartition of Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians in Lebanon
Governorates of Lebanon 2014[7] 2022[1]
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%

History

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Religion map of Lebanon by municipality according to municipal elections data.

The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch adheres to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is composed of several autocephalous jurisdictions united by common doctrine and the use of the Byzantine rite. They constitute the second-largest Christian denomination in Lebanon. Historically, these churches grew out of the four Eastern Patriarchates (Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople) of the original five major episcopal sees (the Pentarchy) of the Roman Empire, which included Rome. The final split between Rome and the Eastern Churches, which came to oppose the views and claims of the Popes of Rome, took place in 1054. Since then, the Eastern Churches have continued to reject the claims of the Catholic Church to universal supremacy and the concept of papal infallibility. Doctrinally, the main point at issue between the Eastern and Western Churches is the procession of the Holy Spirit; there are also divergences in ritual and discipline.[8]

The Greek Orthodox include many freeholders, 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 in Beirut and other cities. Many are found in the southeast (Nabatieh and Beqaa) and North, near Tripoli. 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. It has often served as a bridge between Lebanese Christians and other Arab countries.[9]

Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians have a long and continuous association with Eastern Orthodox Churches in European countries such as Greece, Georgia,[10] 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 this; historically, it has had fewer dealings with Western countries than the Maronite Church, but it does maintain strong connections with Russia and Greece. 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 granted Lebanese citizenship.[11]

Greek Orthodox Christians support a variety of political parties and factions, including non-sectarian parties such as the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, the Lebanese Communist Party, and the Democratic Left Movement; as well as Christian parties such as the Free Patriotic Movement, the Marada Movement, the Lebanese Forces, and the Kataeb.

Greek Orthodox Christian settlements

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Distribution of Greek Orthodox Christians by district in Lebanon

In Lebanon, Greek Orthodox Christians are primarily found in Beirut, as well as in the southeast (including Nabatieh and Beqaa) and the North, particularly around Tripoli and the Koura. They are also present in districts such as Akkar, Batroun, Matn, Aley, Zahlé, Miniyeh-Danniyeh, Hasbaya, Baabda, Marjeyoun, Tripoli, Rashaya, Byblos, and Zgharta.

Cities and towns with a majority Greek Orthodox population in Lebanon

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Achrafieh, 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, Rachaya Al Foukhar, Aita al-Foukhar, Jeddayel, and others.

Cities and towns with a significant Greek Orthodox minority

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Ras Beirut, Tripoli, El Mina, Chekka, Bourj Hammoud, Zahlé, Halba, Batroun, Bikfaya, Baskinta, Antelias, Ras el Matn, Aley, Bechamoun, Machgara, Hasbaya, Kfeir, Niha Bekaa, and others.

Beirut was historically home to several prominent Greek Orthodox Christian families that formed part of the city's high society for centuries, including the Trad, Geday, Fernaine, Rebeiz, Bustros, Sursock, Araman, Fayyad, and Tueini families.

Lebanese Greek Orthodox–born notable people

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[edit]
  • St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Beirut
    St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Beirut
  • St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Beirut
    St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Beirut
  • Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Achrafieh, Beirut
    Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Achrafieh, Beirut

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Data and statistics". L'Orient-Le Jour. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  2. ^ Lüstraeten, Martin (2021). "The Source Value of Arabic Typikon‑Manuscripts as Testimonials for the Byzantinization of the Melkites". Religions. 12 (11): 931. doi:10.3390/rel12110931. hdl:10900/177611.
  3. ^ "Minority Rights Group International – working to secure the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples".
  4. ^ a b Lebanon – International Religious Freedom Report 2010 U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  5. ^ a b Lebanon – July–December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 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. ^ a b c d "Religious composition in Marjayoun District". Lubnan.com. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  8. ^ Traboulsi, Berge (2025). "Schism and Dialogue in Antioch: Melkite‑Orthodox Relations, 1724–Present". The Journal of Social Encounters. 9 (2): 32–48. doi:10.69755/2995-2212.1362.
  9. ^ Panchenko, Konstantin (2017). "The Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Lebanon in the Beginning of the Ottoman Epoch". Vestnik Pravoslavnogo Sviato-Tikhonovskogo Gumanitarnogo Universiteta. 53: 56–77. doi:10.15382/sturIII201753.56-77.
  10. ^ Metreveli, Saba (2023). Encyclopedic Dictionary of Georgian Hagiography (4th–10th cc.). Tbilisi. pp. 341–343. ISBN 978-9941-8-5870-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ^ Sabella, Bernard (12 February 2003). "Palestinian Christians: Challenges and Hopes". Al-Bushra. Archived from the original on 15 April 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  12. ^ Raheb, Mitri; Lamport, Mark A. (15 December 2020). The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Christianity in the Middle East. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-5381-2418-5.
  13. ^ Moreh, Shmuel (1 January 1976). Modern Arabic Poetry: 1800–1970; the Development of Its Forms and Themes Under the Influence of Western Literature. Brill Archive. ISBN 978-90-04-04795-2.

Sources

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