Russia and the Melkites of Syria: Attempts at Reconverting into Orthodoxy in the 1850-s and 1860-s

Lora Gerd

doi:10.1163/18177565-bja10038

Abstract

Abstract Having entered into union with Rome in the 18th century, the Melkite Arab community of Syria preserved their Eastern rites and traditions. The attempts at Latinization in the mid-19th century brought a split in the community and provoked a diplomatic effort by Russia to bring the Melkites back to Eastern Orthodoxy. The raise of Arab nationalism in the 1850-s and traditions of church independence created a fertile soil for separatism. The relative weakness and inconsistency of Russian support, and especially a lack of material resources and strong diplomatic pressure from France, resulted in most of the newly converted Melkites returning to Rome by the early 1860-s. The article argues that Russian church policy in 19th century Middle East, strongly bounded by the limits of Orthodox canon law was largely ineffective. The Melkite affair was the last attempt to integrate the Arab Christians in the traditional system of the “Greek” Patriarchates. Thereafter Russian diplomacy took the course of Arabizing the Patriarchate of Antioch. The episode did, however, contribute to the elaboration of a new Vatican policy towards the Eastern Catholics: respect for their rites and traditions.

Highlights

IntroductionCyril tried to act through individuals among the Arabs who seemed ready for a dialogue with the Greeks, such as Bishop Gerasimos, or with certain groups, such as the community of Deir-el-Qamar, to whom he promised the construction of a church
The Melkite Arab community in Syria and Lebanon has since the Middle Ages occupied a special place in the history of Eastern Christianity
Russia could not compete with French influence in Syria and Lebanon due to financial and political reasons

Summary

Introduction

Cyril tried to act through individuals among the Arabs who seemed ready for a dialogue with the Greeks, such as Bishop Gerasimos, or with certain groups, such as the community of Deir-el-Qamar, to whom he promised the construction of a church Another church for 300 Melkites from the ‘Eastern’ party was built in the village of Maara, starting in December 1859.42 In this situation, the visit of Grand Duke Constantin Nikolaevich to Beirut and Jerusalem in May and June 1859 contributed significantly to a surge of optimism among the ‘Eastern’ party.[43]. Bishop Cyril summarized the results of the Russian diplomatic and ecclesial mission among the Melkites in a report addressed to the ober-procurator of the Holy Synod on May 30th, 1860.44 Thanks to Metropolitan Agapios, he had met Archimandrite Gabriel Djibara in person during his visit to Beirut the previous year. In his opinion this was the only possible variant that the Russian church could support: bishop Cyril Naumov should not participate in the negotiations in Constantinople, and the Russian side should limit its activities to the ‘soft’ intermediation of the diplomats

10 The Eastern Patriarchs

12 The Melkite Affair After July 1860

60 Further Papers Relating to the Disturbances in Syria

13 Conclusion