The Rūm Orthodox Community of Syria and Lebanon in the Light of Tanzimat: The Reorganization of the Millet System, the Bulgarian Question and Their Impact on Arab Orthodox Nationalism (1856–1885)

Bulgarian Historical Review, 53 (2025), No. 3, pp. 3-33
DOI: https://doi.org/10.71069/BHR3.25.SN01

Simon Najm

Dr. Simon Najm, Adjunct Professor - University of Balamand – Lebanon; Antiochian House of Studies–1020 Baseline Rd La Verne CA 91750 United States; Agora University – 9253 Old Keene Mill Rd, Burke, VA 22015 United States. ORCID ID: 0009-0007-6538-1296 E-mail: simon.najm.sn@gmail.com

Abstract: At the beginning of the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire faced serious external and internal challenges. To regain its prestige, the Ottoman Empire established a set of reforms to preserve the Empire and hold it together by following the rhythm of progress and evolution of the Great Powers in Europe. The reforms assured equality between Muslim and non-Muslim Ottoman subjects and emphasized justice, and reconfirmed religious freedom. It also pushed toward millet reformation and urged each community to form a general commission, a mājlis millet, consisting of clergy and laymen to administer its affairs. The millet reformation had a direct impact on the administration and the development of the Orthodox Churches in the Ottoman Empire. The local churches manifested a national characteristic against their Hellenization. The tension between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Bulgarians, who longed for an independent church, arose. It culminated with the establishment of an independent Bulgarian Exarchate in 1870 and their ex-communication in 1872. In turn, Arab Christians in the Patriarchate of Antioch soon found themselves involved. The discord between Arab Christians and the Greek hierarchs escalated, and the spirit of nationalism was fervently elevated. While much has been written about the Rūm millet reorganization and its impact on the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Bulgarian Church, relatively few monographs have been published about their effect on the Church of Antioch. Through the lens of archival works preserved in the Rūm Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch in Damascus, this paper demonstrates how the involvement of Arab orthodox laymen in administrating their church affairs enhanced their development between 1856 and 1885. It shows how the Bulgarian question boosted their national feelings and desire to liberate their church from Greek hegemony.

Keywords: Reformation of the Millet System, Bulgarian Exarchate, Council of Constantinople 1872, Church of Antioch 19th century, Arab Orthodox Nationalism

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