EXPOSED: The Ghassanid Myth

by Elias Antonius

Most Christians of the Levant have long been indoctrinated into believing they are descendants of ancient Arab tribes that were part of a mass migration to the region, and eventually converted to Christianity rather than Islam. It’s a belief, which is the cornerstone of Arabist Christian thinking. However, to the displeasure of Arabist authorities, more and more throughout the region are beginning to see this outdated badge of pride as a misguided myth. A failed coping mechanism, in order to prevent discrimination at the hands of the Islamic majority.

An Ideological Comparison: Antiochenism vs Phoenicianism

An Ideological Comparison: Antiochenism vs Phoenicianism
By Elias Antonius

Since the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate, Lebanese-Rûm have found themselves in a very unique position. Inhabitants of an enlarged Mount Lebanon Governorate, which became known as the French Mandate of Lebanon. Lebanese-Rûm found themselves citizens of the only Christian safe haven in the Levant, as Lebanon was originally established as a homeland for Maronites.

An Ideological Comparison: Rûm Alternatives to Arabism

An Ideological Comparison: Rûm Alternatives to Arabism
by Elias Antonius

For decades now, Levantine-Rûm who rejected Arabism have been left with only one valid ideological alternative, Pan-Syrianism. That is until recently, with the emergence of Antiochenism. However, with the development of this new alternative comes many questions. What are the ideological differences between Pan-Syrianism and Antiochenism? Are there any similarities between these two alternatives to Arabism?

ACTION ALERT: #ARRESTFILIS

On Monday night, Greek politics hit an old time low. When Greek Education Minister Nikos Filis denied the events of the Ottoman Greek (Rûm) Genocide in the Black Sea coastal region of Pontos on Greek national television. A member of the ruling Radical Left SYRIZA party, Minister Filis has defended his comments. While the Greek Government has been quick to express that they are merely the Minister’s “opinion” and not the position of the Government.

Rûm: Ethnicity or Spiritual Identity?

By Elias Antonius

For many within the greater Levantine Rûm community the question of, whether or not the Rûm constitute their own ethnicity is a loaded one. Victims of Western Imperialism believe that we are merely a spiritual identity and that each community within the artificially created nation-states of the Levant has separate origins. While others continue to hold on to the ludicrous idea that all rum are ethnically Arabs.

Challenging the myth of Aramean Supremacy in the Levant

By Ilias Michail and Elias Antonius

Aramean supremacists have long perpetuated two enduring myths, which strike at the very heart of any rational understanding of Levantine history. The first is that they are the rightful heirs to the title of ‘indigenous’ throughout the region. The second is their relentless portrayal of the Levant as a purely Semitic land. Both of which have made them as adamantly opposed to the concept of a Rûm ethnic identity as Arabists. 

UPDATE - TRANSLATOR NEEDED

For Immediate Release – August 21, 2015

Dear Friends,

Back on March 28th, Operation Antioch released an update on our project to translate Paul Carolides’ book, “The Origins of the Orthodox Christians of Syria and Palestine”. At the time, it was our hope that the book would be ready for release in April. Unfortunately, we were wrong. After months and months of excuses, we have fired our original translator and are now looking for someone else to translate this priceless book.