Christianity in Lebanon
Christianity in Lebanon has a long and continuous history. Biblical Scriptures show that Peter and Paul evangelized the Phoenicians, whom they affiliated to the ancient Patriarchate of Antioch. Christianity spread slowly in Lebanon due to pagans who resisted conversion, but it ultimately spread throughout the country. Even after centuries of Muslim rule, it remains the dominant faith of the Mount Lebanon region and has substantial communities elsewhere.
Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 4-5 million Lebanese citizens (2022 estimate)
1.2–2 million in Lebanon | |
| Religions | |
| Maronite Church Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch Melkite Greek Catholic Church Armenian Apostolic Church (See Religion in Lebanon) |
| Christianity by country |
|---|
| Christianity portal |
The Maronite Catholics and the Druze founded modern Lebanon in the nineteenth century, through a governing and social system known as the "Maronite-Druze dualism" in the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate. Lebanon has the highest proportion of Christians of any Middle Eastern country, estimated to be between 34% and 40%; Egypt and Syria are next, at roughly 10%. Lebanese Christians constitute the majority of the Lebanese diaspora worldwide.
A 2015 study estimated that 2,500 Lebanese Christians have Muslim ancestry, whereas the majority of Lebanese Christians are direct descendants of the original early Christians.