Who are Lebanon’s Christians?
Lebanon in Biblical times
For most of its history, Lebanon has been monumental for Christianity in the Near East. Christianity in Lebanon is almost as old as the Christian faith itself. In the Gospels, Jesus traveled to what is now southern Lebanon near Tyre, where Scripture recounts that he healed a possessed Canaanite child (Matthew 15:21–28).
Scripture also depicts the apostles Peter and Paul evangelizing the Phoenicians, eventually leading to thriving religious communities, especially in Mount Lebanon. Lebanon is mentioned 71 times throughout Scripture, with constant references to its cedars and hills.
Modern persecution of Christians in Lebanon
However, in recent decades, the indigenous Christians have faced mounting persecution from the Iran-backed terror group, Hezbollah, leading to dwindling numbers. In 1960, approximately 52% of Lebanon’s population was Christian. Today, that number has fallen to 30.7%. (*These statistics are according to estimates from Statistics Lebanon recognized by the U.S. Department of State.)
Of this population, the majority (52.5%) are Maronite Christian—a rite of Eastern Catholicism. Greek Orthodox constitute the second largest group (25%), with the remaining population made up of a wide array of Christian groups, including Melkites, Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholics, Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholics, Assyrians, Chaldean Catholics, Copts, Protestants, and Roman Catholics.* (*These statistics include the LDS and Seventh-Day Adventist churches)
Maronites in Israel
Northern Israel, which has come under increasing fire from Iran’s terror proxy Hezbollah, also has a concentrated Maronite population. The Galilee village of Jish is 65% Maronite, making it the only village in Israel with a majority Christian population.
Since October 7th, Galilee and the rest of Northern Israel have been subjected to barrages of rockets from Hezbollah. More than 95,000 residents in Northern Israel have been displaced since the beginning of the war, including many Maronites.
Hezbollah hides in Christian towns
Israel’s intensifying conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon has exacted an especially heavy toll on the region’s Maronite Christians, splitting many families and extending community networks along the border. Since Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah announced his war on Israel on October 8th, the terrorist group has hidden in the predominantly Christian southern town of Rmeish, using it as a base for rocket attacks on Israel.
Christians living under the threat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, it can be a constant struggle to maintain a sense of safety and belonging as Lebanese Maronites, especially when divided from the larger Maronite community.
Pope Leo X, in 1515, during the final years of Mamluk rule in Lebanon, aptly described Maronites as ‘Lily among thorns,’ a testament to their resilience and faith amidst adversity.
Neveen Elias, Philos Research Fellow, Maronite Christian living in Jish, Israel
Hezbollah’s assault is just the latest on the indigenous Maronite Christians. A new wave of assassinations carried out by Hezbollah targeting Maronites has rattled Lebanon’s Maronites since the spring, adding to the deteriorating safety and standard of living under Hezbollah’s thumb.
If Iran is not deterred, and the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalates as a result, the Maronites will pay a heavy price.
SOURCES:
https://countryeconomy.com/demography/religions/lebanon?year=1960
https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/israel/a-maronite-revival-in-israel