The Melkite Church: Faith, Identity, and Ecumenism

The Melkites of the 21st century trace their spiritual and cultural lineage back to the first community to be called "Christian", in the ancient city of Antioch. The proud and complex history of this Church allows it to offer a compelling modern narrative enriched with theological depth, historical resilience, and active participation in ecumenical dialogues. Exactly 300 years ago, a segment of the Antiochian Orthodox Church entered into full communion with Rome, and this newly recognised Church came to be known as the Melkite Catholic Church. At the start of this Jubilee Year, declared by Patriarch Yusuf Absi, what is the place of the Melkite Church within the Catholic communion, and what role does it fulfill regarding ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Churches? This report delves into Melkite Bishop Elias Haddad’s understanding of the history of the Melkite Church and his answers to those questions as communicated during a talk in South Lebanon titled “The Role of the Melkite Church in Ecumenical Work”. As bishop of Sidon, Lebanon, he shepherds the flock of the same diocese where his predecessor, Orthodox Bishop Aftimios el Saifi, planted the seeds of reunion exactly 300 years ago. Though the talk contains invaluable input, it is imperative to note that it is a reflection of the personal knowledge and view of the bishop. Neither the talk, nor this consolidated report, are being presented as an absolute historical analysis or the official position of the Melkite Church.

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