The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Christian church in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. It follows the Byzantine Rite and has its roots in the early Christian community of Antioch. While sharing liturgical and theological similarities with Eastern Orthodox churches, it recognizes the authority of the Pope.
The Melkite Church is primarily located in the Middle East and has communities worldwide. It maintains its Eastern Christian traditions within the Catholic tradition.
Quick facts about The Melkite Greek Catholic Church:
- The Melkite Greek Catholic Church, also known as the Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church, is an Eastern Catholic church in full communion with the Holy See within the broader Catholic Church.
- Patriarch Youssef Absi serves as its chief pastor, with the headquarters located at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Dormition in Damascus, Syria.
- The Melkite Church's roots can be traced back to the early Christians of Antioch in the 1st century AD, where Saint Peter introduced Christianity. Antioch was formerly part of Syria and is now in modern-day Turkey.
- The Melkite Church shares the Byzantine Rite with the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and other Eastern Orthodox churches.
- Its main presence is in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine.
- Due to persecution of Christians, Melkite Greek Catholics have migrated, leading to their presence in various parts of the world.
- The Melkite Church has also grown through intermarriage, conversions, and transritualism among people of different ethnic heritages.
- The current worldwide membership of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church is estimated to be approximately 1.6 million.
