This post was originally published on this site
Lebanese twin brothers Charbel and Giovanni Lteif began an Instagram account with a mission of bearing witness to the beauty of Middle Eastern Christianity. In just two years, their platform has reached a following of over 700,000 individuals.
Raised in a Maronite (Eastern-rite Catholic) family in a small Lebanese village, the brothers’ earliest memories are inseparable from their faith, land, and history. Their childhood unfolded among cedar trees and ancient ruins, shaped by the steady presence of local churches.
“Being raised in Lebanon was truly a blessing for us,” the Lteifs say.
They describe their faith as a protective presence in their childhood. “Even with a simple understanding of Christ at that age, we knew what was right and what was wrong,” the brothers say. “That is one of the safest and strongest foundations a child can have.”
Rooted in generations of belief, this foundation became the seed of a broader calling. The brothers describe the creation of their account, @eastern_christians, as “more of a journey than a sudden decision.” Growing up hearing stories of Middle Eastern Christians who had defended their faith since the time of Christ himself, they felt their inheritance carried a responsibility.
“This identity of ours is sometimes attacked, and sometimes even forgotten by our own people,” the Lteifs say. “When something you love, something that is part of who you are, is placed under these circumstances, you feel a duty to defend it no matter what.”
This sense of vocation became clear during a feast-day celebration in their village. Surrounded by the community, ritual, and harmony, the brothers were struck by how little the beauty of this reality was visible to the broader world.
“Why is our voice on an international online stage so limited?” they asked themselves.
Their response was simple: if the world could not see Middle Eastern Christianity with their own eyes, the brothers would bring it to them. Through images, stories, videos, and testimonies, the Lteifs began sharing the beauty and love “that flows from Christ through His people” in the Middle East.
“It’s about protecting our heritage, raising awareness among our youth, spreading Christ’s love, and giving Christians in the Middle East a voice they can rely on,” the Lteifs say.
As the brothers’ platform has grown, so too has the weight of their mission. The brothers share the work has taught them “how to truly trust the Lord.”
“We faced many obstacles and moments of stress, sometimes even despair,” the Lteifs say. “Each time, we eventually turned to God, and time after time we saw things resolve in the most unexpected, simple, and loving ways.”
“This work is part of our vocation, and wherever we can continue it, we will. We would love to see it connect as many people as possible and continue growing as a platform that unites, strengthens, and gives hope.”
Central to that vision is unity and inclusivity. From the outset, the brothers committed to representing Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic traditions, reflecting their lived reality as Christians in the Middle East.
“We made a clear decision from the beginning to represent … all Christian communities of the East,” the Lteifs say.
Though doctrinal differences exist, the brothers explain that Christian communities in Lebanon are nevertheless “very close.”
“We share the same history, and we are essentially from the same family,” the Lteifs say. “When persecution happens, it does not target Orthodox or Catholic specifically. It targets anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, our God.”
Shared history, persecution, and minority status have fostered what the brothers describe as a “brotherhood.” Orthodox and Catholic friends attend one another’s services, and joke with one another about whose Holy Week will have rain.
“This is something we strongly support in our mission,” the Lteifs say. “People remain one.”
The brothers characterize this approach as both natural and intentional. “You cannot truly create a platform to represent Christians here by focusing on only one group. If the goal is representation, it must include everyone,” the Lteifs say. “This is something we learned naturally from Lebanon.”
Beyond the Middle East, the Lteifs speak directly to the the diaspora–especially those who feel distant from their roots. While many remain closely linked to their family and religious traditions, others have absorbed the misconception that Christian communities in the region are extinct or unimportant.
Challenging this narrative is a key part of the brothers’ mission. They realized that many Western Christians remain unaware that Christianity still exists in the region, and feel this is part of why their content has resonated with so many people so quickly.
“We truly believe that all success comes from God,” the Lteifs say. “From the people’s side, we realized how much thirst there was for this type of content.”
“Christians in the West were surprised and encouraged to see that Christians in the East still strongly practice their faith despite all the difficulties they face. Christians from our own communities realized that there is no shame in practicing our faith, and that our faith is also our identity, something we should embrace strongly. Sharing this beauty in this way, for many people felt like something they had never seen before.”
For the Lteifs, the term “Eastern Christians” includes not only those who remain in their homelands, but also those living in diaspora.
“There is a deep thirst among the Eastern Christian diaspora for their roots and identity,” the Lteifs say. “From a basic human and psychological perspective, people need to feel that they belong to a community, and we are born into one that is ready for us to reclaim it.”
The brothers’ message to their fellow Eastern Christians in the U.S. is uncompromising.
“If we were to speak directly … we would tell them not to be shy about their faith, because it is also their identity,” the Lteifs say. “It is something your ancestors fought to defend.”
“Be bold, and help your friends become aware of it. Our faith is the faith of the strong.”
The post These Lebanese twins are giving Eastern Christianity a global voice appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
