Melkite Christianity in Lebanon
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 215,000 | |
| Languages | |
| Vernacular: Lebanese Arabic |
|
| Religion | |
| Christianity (Melkite Catholic) |
Melkite Christianity in Lebanon refers to adherents of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Lebanon, which is the third Christian denomination in the country after the Maronite Christianity in Lebanon and Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon.
The Lebanese Melkite Christians are believed to constitute about 5% of the total population of Lebanon.
Under the terms of an unwritten agreement known as the National Pact between the various political and religious leaders of Lebanon, the Melkite community in Lebanon has eight reserved seats in the Parliament of Lebanon. (see Politics of Lebanon#Legislative_branch)
The Melkite Christians live primarily in the central and eastern parts of the country, dispersed in many villages. Members of this rite are concentrated in Beirut, Zahlah, and the suburbs of Sidon. They have a relatively higher level of education than other denominations. Melkite Christians have been able to strike a balance between their openness to the Arab world and their identification with the West. Melkite Christians are estimated to constitute 5% of Lebanon's population of approximately 4.3 million, which means they amount to 215,000.
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