In the very heart of Lebanon, twin brothers Charbel and Giovanni Lteif have resolutely taken on the mission of telling the world about the fate of Eastern Christians. They are launching a unique online platform so that the voice of a long-persecuted community does not get lost in the world of digital noise. How are social networks becoming a tool for survival and identity for people whose cultural heritage is under threat of extinction? Why does the personal story of the brothers today become a symbol of resistance and hope for their people?
Who are the Lteif brothers and what is their path
Charbel and Giovanni Lteif are Lebanese twins who grew up in a Christian family at the intersection of ancient traditions and modern challenges. They do not see themselves as mere bloggers and reject the label of “influencers.” Their page “eastern_christians” on Instagram has attracted the attention of more than 600,000 followers, and their total audience across different platforms has exceeded 800,000 people.
For the brothers, creating this project became a continuation of a millennia-old relay: they see themselves as bearers of a mission that began with the first Christians 2,000 years ago. Giovanni notes that in their culture, faith has always been passed down through generations, and now it has become a challenge for the digital age.
Eastern Christians – a look into the past and present
The term “Eastern Christians” unites many communities living in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa: from Morocco to Iraq, including Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine. These churches—Coptic, Maronite, Assyrian, and others—have become strongholds of spirituality and culture in the region.
Historically, Christians in this region held a significant position, contributing to the development of science, art, and philosophy. However, over the past hundred years, their numbers have catastrophically decreased: according to Pew Research, the share of Christians in the Middle East has dropped from 13% to 4%.
The contrast between past and present is striking: whereas Christian communities once built universities and hospitals, today they speak about survival and the preservation of language.
Why preserving identity has become a challenge
In the modern world, Eastern Christians face a whole spectrum of threats. Researchers highlight among them:
- Persecution by extremist groups
- Large-scale emigration due to military conflicts
- Loss of language and traditions in the diaspora
- Pressure and discrimination at the legislative level
Charbel notes: “When you are born a Christian in the East, you receive a mission to protect your faith and culture.” Many families are forced to relocate to save themselves, but for the Lteifs, leaving their homeland means losing the very essence of their ‘self.’
In one of their posts, the brothers write: “Our songs, our cuisine, our language are an integral part of us. Losing this is a wound for the entire community.”
Social networks as a modern “missionary journey”
Just as in ancient times apostles traveled to distant lands to spread their values, today social media has become the digital road for the mission.
The Lteif brothers build their work around three directions: publishing educational materials, telling about holidays and traditions, and open dialogue with followers.
One of their recent posts, dedicated to the Armenian Genocide, sparked a large-scale discussion and received more than 10,000 supportive comments.
The advantages of digital missionary work are obvious:
- Reaching a global audience
- Rapid mobilization of support
- The ability to promptly refute false information
- Creating a unified space for dialogue
“Today our story is available to millions, not just to neighbors in the village,” Giovanni emphasizes.
Problems and challenges of digital missionary work
However, this new field of activity does not come without risks. In an interview with Vatican News, the brothers admit that they have faced threats and repeated attempts to block their account.
Information overload is a separate problem: among the streams of news, it is difficult to hold the attention even of sympathetic followers.
Comparing their initiative with other projects for preserving cultural memory, the Lteifs note a difference: the digital format allows for instant response, but requires constant fact-checking and source verification.
Skeptics point to difficulties: it is not always possible to verify the truth of every story, and the level of support from authorities is often insufficient. The diaspora is often fragmented, and international organizations respond with delays.
Goals and values
For the Lteifs, the idea of “happiness on their own land” is not an abstraction, but a deep conviction. “We do not want to run away from what we have preserved for thousands of years. This is our home, our honor, and our responsibility,” Charbel shares.
They are convinced that dignity is possible only by preserving one’s roots, even if this is fraught with dangers.
There are several arguments in favor of maintaining presence:
- It is impossible to transmit culture without contact with the native land
- Only in place can the uniqueness of language and customs be preserved
- An example of resilience inspires the younger generation
The impact of the mission: what has changed and what lies ahead
In a few years of work, “eastern_christians” has become the most well-known page about Eastern Christians in the world. The number of followers is growing, and the geography of messages covers all continents.
Independent experts, such as Professor Maria Khattab from the American University of Beirut, note: “Active presence on social networks has radically changed the perception of Eastern Christians in the global information space.”
Forms of support have emerged that no one thought of ten years ago: online petitions, fundraising, educational campaigns.
The brothers’ participation in the jubilee of digital missionaries
The recent jubilee of digital missionaries in the Vatican became an important milestone for the Lteif project. Their participation was recognized as a symbol of a new stage in the protection of cultural minorities.
According to forum coordinator Francesco Rizzi, “the brothers’ work is an example for millions of young people seeking meaning in service.”
Thanks to the forum, the Lteif brothers expanded their network of contacts and outlined new educational campaigns, which could potentially become the key to the future of Eastern Christians.
How will the fate of an ancient community change if it gains a new voice in the digital age? This question now becomes not only a challenge, but also an opportunity for the entire region.
Material prepared with the support of twinspinca.com