Oriental Orthodoxy in Israel
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 38,000 (estimate) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Jerusalem, Jaffa, Bethlehem | |
| Languages | |
| Arabic, English, Hebrew, Modern Aramaic, Ge'ez, Coptic |
The Oriental Orthodox Churches (Hebrew: הנצרות האורתודוקסית המזרחית; Arabic: المسيحية الأرثوذكسية الشرقية) in Israel traditionally date back to Christ's ministry in Judaea and have had an established institutional presence within the land for over a millennia. Oriental Orthodoxy is maintained through strong communities of Armenians, Copts, Assyrians, Ethiopians, and Eritreans both historically and in the modern day numbering tens of thousands.[1]
Contemporary status
[edit]A large number of Churches and Monasteries serve the Orthodox community in Israel. The Armenian and Syriac Churches are some of the oldest and more established Churches in the country, especially in Jerusalem where an Armenian Quarter exists highlighting the extent of this historic basis.[2] As of date, there are churches all over Israel representing various communities, and are often under the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of Jerusalem, the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Jerusalem, or the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.[3][4]
Oriental Orthodoxy is recognised by Israel, specifically the Syriac and Armenian Churches who are registered and represented in the State. The Tewahedo Churches and the Coptic Church, while not officially a part of Israel's confessional system which allows for self-regulation and formal affairs, still receive equal rights and their adherents are free to exercise and practice the faith as they please and without any other restriction.[5]
As with other Christians in Israel, Orthodox Christians are highly educated[6] and have high representation in white collar and scientific professions,[7] excelling both in education and the workplace.[8] The largest community of Orthodox Christians in Israel are found in Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethlehem, and Jaffa.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Israel - Government of Armenia".
- ^ "Statement – Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate". Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. 2016-04-10. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
- ^ "coptic jerusalem". copticj.com. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
- ^ "Jerusalem". gedsh.bethmardutho.org. Archived from the original on 2025-01-23. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
- ^ "Israel 2022 International Religious Freedom Report" (PDF). US Department of State. 2022. page 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ "Israel's Christian community is growing, 84% satisfied with life here – report". Times of Israel. 22 December 2023. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ David, Hanna. "David, H. (2014). Are Christian Arabs the New Israeli Jews? Reflections on the Educational Level of Arab Christians in Israel". International Letters of Social and Humanistic Studies, 21(3) 175-187. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
- ^ Stier, Haya; Khattab, Nabil; Miaari, Sami (15 August 2023). Socioeconomic Inequality in Israel: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis. USA: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 88. ISBN 9781503636132.
Christians have, on average, higher educational achievements, marry at an older age, have fewer children, and enjoy larger income... Druze and Muslims share many cultural patterns, and they have a similar socioeconomic standing, but while Druze males have to serve in the military, Muslim men (as well as Christian) do not.
- ^ Nurit, Yaffe (1 December 2007). "The Arab Population of Israel 2003" (PDF).
Eastern Christian communion of autocephalous churches from Armenia, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan and parts of the Middle East, and India | ||
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