Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians

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. 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. Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians have a long and continuous association with Eastern Orthodox Churches in European countries such as Greece, Georgia, 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, 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==

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 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 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, Araman, Bustros, Sursock, Fayyad, and Tueini families. ==Lebanese Greek Orthodox–born notable people==

• Paul Anka – singer, songwriter, and actor • Michael Ansara – actor • Farid Makari – politician; former Lebanese minister, member of parliament, and deputy speaker of the Lebanese Parliament • William Hawi – commander of the Kataeb Party • Charles Debbas – former president (1926–1934) • Mounir Abou Fadel – former deputy speaker of parliament and member of parliament • Marcos Baghdatis – tennis player • Charles Malik – former president of the United Nations General Assembly and minister of foreign affairs • Antoun Saadeh – philosopher and founder of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party • Antoine Andraos – politician and vice president of the Movement of the Future • Elias Murr – former deputy prime minister • Michel Murr – former deputy prime minister • Michel Sassine – former Lebanese minister, member of parliament, deputy speaker of parliament, and deputy prime minister of Lebanon • Mikhail Naimy – poet, novelist, and philosopher, known for his spiritual writings, notably The Book of Mirdad • Elia Abu Madi – poet • George Antonius – author and diplomat; pioneering historian of Arab nationalism • George N. Atiyeh – librarian and scholar • Souha Bechara – resistance fighter and member of the Lebanese Communist Party • Yousef Beidas – banker • Marwan Abou Fadel – former MP of Mount Lebanon and co-founder of the Lebanese Democratic Party • Gabrielle Bou Rached – model and actress • Jurji Zaydan – novelist, journalist, editor, and teacher; founder of the magazine Al-Hilal and an early Arab nationalist • Elie Ferzli – politician • Fawaz Gerges – professor and author • Farid Habib – member of the Lebanese Forces party • Maya Diab – singer, actress, and fashion icon • Nicolas Hayek – entrepreneur; co-founder, CEO, and chairman of the Swatch Group • Saint Joseph of Damascus – priest and educator, canonized as a saint in 1993 • Samir Kassir – historian, journalist, and prominent leftist political activist • Wehbe Katicha – politician and former general in the Lebanese Army • Elias Khoury – novelist, playwright, critic, and public intellectual • Giselle Khoury – talk show host on Al Arabiya • Jacobo Majluta Azar – former president of the Dominican Republic • Mikhail Mishaqa – historian of modern Ottoman Syria • Tarek Mitri – scholar and independent politician • Samir Mouqbel – deputy prime minister of Lebanon • Ibrahim Najjar – lawyer and politician • Octavia Nasr – journalist covering Middle Eastern affairs • Mona Ofeich – politician • Assi Rahbani – composer, musician, and producer • Ziad Rahbani – composer, pianist, singer, and producer • Mansour Rahbani – composer, musician, poet, and producer • Raphael of Brooklyn – first Orthodox bishop consecrated in North America • Salim Saade – politician and member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party • Christina Sawaya – beauty queen • Cochrane Sursock – philanthropist and arts advocate in Lebanon • Nassim Nicholas Taleb – essayist and scholar focusing on randomness and uncertainty • Petro Trad – lawyer, politician, and former president of Lebanon (French Mandate period, 1943) • Gebran Tueni – journalist and figure of the Arab Renaissance • Ghassan Tueni – journalist, politician, and diplomat; former head of An Nahar • Nayla Tueni – journalist and politician • Karim Azkoul – diplomat and philosopher • Jad Azkoul – musician • Zeina Mina – Olympic athlete and director of the Jeux de la Francophonie; holds a doctorate in sports sciences ==Gallery==

File:St. Georg (beirut, griechisch-orthodox).jpg|St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Beirut File:Church in Beirut 061 (1).jpg|St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Beirut File:Annunciation Church, Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.JPG|Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Achrafieh, Beirut ==See also==