Melkite
Noun: 1. A member of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church or the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem: A Christian who follows the Byzantine rite and accepts the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, historically distinguished by their acceptance of the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). 2. Historically, an Eastern Christian adhering to the imperial orthodoxy of the Byzantine Empire: The term originally identified Christians in Egypt, Syria, and the Levant who remained in communion with the Imperial Church of Constantinople after the Christological controversies of the 5th century.
- Noun:
- The Melkite community in Lebanon celebrates the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
- Historically, a Melkite was distinguished from a Coptic or Syriac Christian by their acceptance of the Chalcedonian definition.
- "Melkite" vs. "Greek Catholic": In modern usage, "Melkite" most specifically refers to a member of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with Rome. The term can also refer to the Greek Orthodox Christians of the ancient patriarchates who share the same historical and liturgical tradition but are not in communion with Rome.
- Etymology: The word derives from the Syriac and Arabic word (ܡܠܟܝܐ / ملكي), meaning "imperial" or "royal," reflecting their historical association with the Byzantine (Roman) Emperor.
- Melkite Greek Catholic (adj/n): Specifically denotes the Eastern Catholic Church of the Melkite tradition.
- The Melkite Greek Catholic patriarch resides in Damascus.
- Melkite Patriarchate (n): Refers to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction, particularly of Antioch.
- Byzantine Rite (n): The liturgical tradition used by Melkites, shared with the Eastern Orthodox Church.
- Greek Catholic (in the specific modern context of the Eastern Catholic Church).
- Chalcedonian Christian (in the historical theological context).
- Rūm (an historical Arabic and Turkish term derived from "Roman," used in the Ottoman era for Byzantine-rite Christians).
The term "Melkite" has two primary, context-dependent meanings: 1. Ecclesial/Modern Meaning: Primarily denotes a member of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church. 2. Historical/Theological Meaning: Refers to those Eastern Christians who accepted the Christology of the Council of Chalcedon, as opposed to the non-Chalcedonian (Oriental Orthodox) churches such as the Coptic or Syriac Orthodox. In this sense, it includes both modern Melkite Catholics and Greek Orthodox Christians of the patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.
- an Orthodox Christian or Uniate Christian belonging to the patriarchate of Alexandria or Antioch or Jerusalem
- an eastern Christian in Egypt or Syria who adheres to the Orthodox faith as defined by the council of Chalcedon in 451 and as accepted by the Byzantine emperor