Maronite Christians

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the issue of identity among the Maronite Christians in Lebanon, providing first a brief historical background and then discussing how they have pursued various strategies for determining for themselves who it is that they are. The primary Maronite group is a Christian community of Arabs centered in Lebanon and in communion with the Pope. Smaller Maronite groups also exist in Cyprus, Palestine, Syria, and the United States, with a total number throughout the world of about 1.3 million. It examines how the self discovery process is especially difficult since they are the minority in their own culture surrounded by majority groups who are overtly hostile towards them.

From the Paper:

"The group's roots lie in the seventh century when members adhered to the (then) heresy of Monothelitism. Monothelitism was the belief--which was held in conformity to traditional Christian doctrine--that Christ had two distinct natures, divine and human, but also held that the two natures are manifested in a single will and activity. The doctrine of Monothelitism was first promulgated about 624 by Byzantine emperor Heraclius, in an attempt to reconcile the orthodox point of view that Christ has two natures, with the heretical belief of the Monophysites that he has but one. By this reconciliation Heraclius hoped to bring back into the church the thousands of Monophysites who had been excommunicated for heresy. The result of the promulgation of Monothelitism, however, was not greater unity in the church and empire, but further division, as is so often the case with such well-meaning compromises."

More papers on Maronite Christians:

• Essay # 15228 : "Maronite Christians In Lebanon"
• Essay # 7161 : "Geographical Separation of Religions in Lebanon: A Solution to Violence?"
• Essay # 55985 : "Lebanon's Civil War and Emigration"

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