The Current State of Christianity in the Holy Land

What is the current state of Christianity in the Holy Land looking like? The history of Christianity stretches back 2,000 years and when considering the Jewish history of the Old Testament/Torah, this goes back thousands of years further. The Land of Israel has transformed many times over the millennia politically, religiously and ethnically due to the various wars, conquests, migrations, intermixing and cultural exchanges from around the Mediterranean and beyond. Christians in the Holy Land have always been a very heterogeneous group as they have come from Jewish, Greek, Arab, Sryiac/Aramean or Latin backgrounds and have traditionally spoke many languages and belonged to many different denominations belonging to the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic churches. Although these groups have been placed in the same category as Christians, they have had and do have a number of disagreements and conflicts throughout history that have hindered unity and caused friction in the community, especially under the immense stress of living as an oppressed minority in their own homeland.

Some Christians of the Holy Land may consider themselves to belong to the wider pan-ethnic Arab nation, while others may reject this label and instead identify with their own denomination or another underlying identity based on the language they speak and their region of origin. In today’s video we’re going to be looking at a brief history of Christianity in the region, how it spread beyond the confines of the Jewish community to all ethnic groups of the world, the history of Christians in the region throughout the ages as well as the situation for Christians in the region of the Holy Land today, who may be Israeli, Palestinian or foreign citizens. Let me know your thoughts on the historic and current situation of Christians in the Holy Land. Thanks for watching

[dodi]

The Oriental Orthodox denominations accept the Nicene Creed. They rejected the Council of Chalcedon.

[SLR]

As soon as I returned to the UK from my first (and hopefully not last) pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I put myself forward as a volunteer for a charity supporting Christians in the region. I would go to churches of different denominations raising awareness and collecting donations. The response I got was really incredible. It just goes to show if more Christians around the world understood what was actually going on in the Holy Land (I really had no idea before I went) then it would be something they take extremely seriously and would become a central issue for the worldwide Christian community (obviously sadly there will be those for different reasons who couldn’t care less about the problems facing our brothers and sisters in the land where our faith was born…)

[theawesomeman]

Western Christian here praying for the good will towards my Middle Eastern Christian brothers and sisters.

[shcfkde]

Arab Christians in Israel are actually one of the most educated groups in the entire world. (By degrees per capita).

[onegalghadaf]

You got it wrong on the assyrians and orientals, they do accept the Nicene creed. The assyrians don't accept the council of ephesus and the orientals don't accept the council of chalcedon

[stefanodadamo]

The current SORRY situation of Christians on the Levant and Middle East

[michaeljcross]

I support the Christians in the Holy Land, especially the Palestinian Christians who are suffering so much at this time. Brothers and Sisters, we are with you in heart and spirit.

[alfredosauce]

No mention of 1948 and its devastating impact on the population of christians in the holy land. The Christian community was disproportionately impacted by the establishment of the Israeli state, both as a result of expulsion, and in terms of lands seized.

[powerfulaura]

5:42 correction: the Church of the East & Oriental Orthodox both accept Nicæa, they reject Ephesus & Calcedon respectively.

[emilianohermosilla]

I feel bad for the middle eastern peoples, man. Always so eternally in turmoil…

[starmaker]

Boy the comment section would be fun in this

[Demographiaanthropology]

Super interesting, especially as a Christian. Thanks for always making such fascinating videos

[drbrainguy]

Hey, just as a Heads-up... I just clicked on the link to your website in the About section of your YouTube page and it took me to a page full of "pop-ups" and other danger warnings, etc. This is obviously not your page, so better check to see if someone has hijacked your url or something.

[korakys]

11:35 Hey, I made that map!
Glad to see it show up in one of Masaman's videos.

[loveandmercy]

Hey Masaman you need to do a whole video on the Christian Aramean community in Israel.

[willryan]

Constantine didn't officially convert to Christianity until his deathbed

[Gladdig]

Eastern catholics recognise the pope yes. But you almost make it sound like there's a contradiction. The pope recognises them too. They are just different jurisdictions of the same Church with the pope as its earthly head.

[zch]

Ground news is like the only good YouTube sponsor

[Demographiaanthropology]

Your comeback inspired me to also return to making content again, you're such an inspiration man!

[bcs]

"This has been next time and I'll see you Mason" 😊