Christianity in Palestine facts for kids

Palestinian Christians are people who speak Arabic and live in the area known as Palestine today. They follow the Christian faith. There are different Christian groups among them, like Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians. About half of them belong to the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem.

Who Are Palestinian Christians?

Palestinian Christians are an important part of the Palestinian community. They have lived in the region for a very long time. Their history is deeply connected to the land where Christianity began. Many of them live in cities like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Ramallah.

Why Did Many Christians Leave Palestine?

The number of Christians in Palestine has become much smaller over the years. Today, less than four percent of Palestinian Arabs living in Palestine are Christians. This is a big change from the past.

Many Christians have moved away from Palestine. This is called emigration. One main reason for this was the wars fought between Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. These conflicts made life difficult and uncertain for many people.

Another reason for people leaving was pressure to join Islam. This pressure, combined with the wars, led many Christian families to seek new homes in other countries.

Changes in Population Over Time

Surveys done by the British government show how the Christian population changed. In 1922, about 9.5% of Palestinian Arabs were Christians. By 1946, this number had dropped to about 7.6%. This shows a steady decrease in the Christian population even before major conflicts.

Images for kids

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  Christian groups in Palestine from the 1922 census of Palestine.

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  A view of the Holy Sepulchre church in Jerusalem.

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  The oldest known Christ Pantocrator icon, from the 6th century, found at Saint Catherine's Monastery.

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  A picture of Christ from the late 11th century.

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  Inside the home of a Christian family in Jerusalem, around 1850.

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  Palestinian Christian Scouts on Christmas Eve in front of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem (2006).

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  Four Christian women from Bethlehem, 1911.

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  An Eastern Orthodox priest from Jerusalem with his family, around 1893.

See also

In Spanish: Cristiano palestino para niños