Christians in the Middle East: “It Is Beautiful to Be a Christian Here”

Lebanon, the land of Saint Charbel, may seem quite far from Croatia at first glance. But just how different are these two countries, especially when it comes to Catholics and the lives of believers? Are there similarities that connect us despite the geographical distance? Giovanni Lteif, one of the administrators of the Instagram page Eastern Christian, shares his insights with the Laudato TV portal. He launched the page together with his brother Charbel, driven by a desire to introduce others to the beauty of Christianity in the Middle East and the rich heritage of Eastern Christian communities.

Faith as an Integral Part of Everyday Life

Giovanni describes the life of Christians in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, in one word: beautiful. There, faith is not something separate from everyday life, but an integral part of both personal and communal identity.

“It is truly beautiful to be a Christian here. Faith is not something distant or separate from everyday life. It is part of you, part of your identity,” Giovanni explains.

How deeply faith is rooted in daily life can be seen in his description of an ordinary day. Alongside going to work or school, everyday life is also marked by the sound of church bells. Many schools, hospitals and universities are run by monasteries, whose mission is to serve others. Speaking about God is not considered taboo, and people speak proudly about their faith.

Giovanni sees the long history and uninterrupted tradition of Eastern Christian communities as one of their greatest treasures. Their roots reach back to the time when Christ Himself preached. Churches throughout Lebanon and the Middle East preserve a rich heritage, and many of them, despite their great age, remain active and vibrant places of worship. He is also particularly encouraged by the willingness of young people to participate in the life of their parishes and communities.

Although Christians in different countries face numerous challenges and difficulties, Giovanni wants to emphasise that Eastern Christianity is not simply a story of persecution or declining numbers of believers.

“It is also a story of life, beauty, resilience, togetherness, faith and people who constantly work for the good of their communities, pray and live their faith,” he says.

All Saints’ Day: Praying for the Departed and Sharing in Community

Speaking about the traditions of his community, Giovanni highlights the celebration of All Saints’ Day. On this day, parishioners gather in prayer and churches are filled with believers. Since it is a public holiday, Christian schools, universities and other institutions are generally closed.

The feast is also an opportunity to remember their departed loved ones. In his parish, they usually celebrate Holy Mass, or the Divine Liturgy, after which the faithful visit the parish cemetery. There, the priest incenses the graves, while the community gathers in prayer for those who have passed away.

The incense used during this ceremony carries a special meaning: it symbolises the prayers rising up to God.

The Strength of Faith That Grows Through Trials

Despite the challenges they face, Christians in the Middle East do not lose hope. Giovanni points out that difficult circumstances often bring about the opposite of what one might expect: faith becomes even stronger.

“The cross is not going to become lighter, so the only thing we can do is strengthen our shoulders so that we can carry it. That is exactly what this community has been doing for generations,” he explains.

They find strength in the hope of the Resurrection and in the conviction that every cross is followed by resurrection. For Giovanni, this is not merely an additional part of everyday life, but the very essence of the Christian calling.

He has also been deeply moved by the gratitude of people who, despite difficult circumstances, never stop giving thanks to God.

“When you see people going through perhaps the greatest crisis of their lives, yet still saying, ‘Thank God, we are grateful for everything we have,’ you realise just how much strength there is in gratitude,” he testifies.

Among the most beautiful traditions of his community, he singles out those that bring entire villages and families together. Such traditions remind people of what truly matters: love, mutual acceptance and persevering in prayer. They also preserve their identity and connect today's generations with their ancestors, who observed these customs a thousand or more years ago.

A Mission That Continues from Christ to the Present Day

The desire to contribute to their community was born in Giovanni and his brother Charbel when they were still children. They grew up listening to stories, especially those told by their grandfather, who had also felt the same desire at their age and had found different ways to serve his community.

Over time, they realised that this was a mission that had been going on for thousands of years and that was still needed today. After attending a traditional event, they decided to stop waiting for an opportunity to contribute and instead take action. They turned to social media and launched the Eastern Christian page.

Through the page, they introduce people to Eastern Christianity and its heritage, while also seeking to give a stronger voice to Eastern Christian communities. Since its launch, the page has continued to grow, by God's grace.

Their goal is to show that behind the numbers we so often encounter in the news are real families and communities. Of course, they face challenges, but at the same time they demonstrate great strength, stand firm in their faith and continue to experience moments of joy and beauty. Giovanni believes that getting to know Eastern Christians is important not only for understanding their communities, but also because their history is part of the history of Christianity as a whole.

“The Middle East is the very cradle of Christianity. We want to convey the strength of faith, the courage that comes with living a Christian life, and the honour that comes from belonging to Christ,” he emphasises.

And everyone can support their mission: by getting to know these communities, raising awareness of their heritage and, above all, praying for them.