Proposal for Granting Expatriate Status to Orthodox Romeoi (Rum Orthodox) of the Middle East

Over the last year, we have witnessed the dramatic events in Syria. Greek public opinion has focused its attention on the hundreds of thousands of Orthodox Romeoi (Rum Orthodox) in Syria. For the first time, with surprise, many have realized a historical truth that had been systematically concealed: that in Syria, Lebanon, and the broader Middle East, live our forgotten brothers — the Arab-speaking Orthodox Romeoi.

These Orthodox Romeoi in the broader Middle East are estimated at two million, with many millions more in the Diaspora. Who are these people? They are indigenous populations, descendants, like us, of our common homeland, Romanía, the Eastern Roman Empire (wrongly referred to as the Byzantine Empire). They fall under the institutional protection of the ancient Orthodox Rum Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Antioch. It is a remarkable historical miracle that these people have endured 14 continuous centuries of Islamic domination. They are genuine, lion-hearted successors of the saints of the region, such as the Evangelist Luke, St. John Chrysostom, St. Ephraim the Syrian, St. John of Damascus, and many others.

These people are exactly like us, sharing the same history, culture, historical capital, faith, traditions, ancestors, heroes, saints, present, future, and eschatological hope of salvation. Even if they were forced by circumstances to speak Arabic, they maintain a vibrant consciousness of our shared people, our shared Genos (sic). We are the same Genos. We are all part of the pious Genos of the Romeoi.

For NIKI, the matter of the Romeoi is of utmost importance, as the Movement’s central axis is the advancement of Romeosyne (Greek-Orthodox culture and civilization) and the revival of the Romeiko World. A vital part of this Romeiko World is our brothers, the Orthodox Romeoi of Syria and the Middle East. Romeosyne and the revival of the Romeiko World, beyond their immense geostrategic significance, are existential issues for the people of our homeland, offering hope, meaning, and the joy of our Genos’s historical journey toward eschatological fulfillment. This issue concerns not just us but all of humanity.

As a Movement, we have long supported the Romeoi of the Middle East in various ways including articles, press releases and questions by our MPs in the Hellenic Parliament.

Our most significant intervention, however, which constitutes a historic milestone for our homeland, was the adoption at our First Congress of a resolution to grant Expatriate Status (Homogeneia Status) to baptized Orthodox citizens of these regions who demonstrably possess a Romeike consciousness (specific technical details remain to be defined). This is a monumental shift in our nation’s strategy with far-reaching implications.

Legal Framework for Expatriate Status

Expatriate Status is distinct from citizenship. It recognizes an individual as of Greek descent without granting Greek citizenship. This does not confer a passport or allow free movement within the EU, nor does it provide voting rights. It is an intermediary institution for individuals with ties to Greece but without citizenship. Expatriate Status:

Grants the right to apply for residence and work permits in Greece and enroll in health insurance systems.

Allows for preferential admission to Greek universities.

Facilitates participation in programs for expatriates (homogeneis: people of the same Genos) [scholarships, cultural programs, support initiatives, etc.].

Creates conditions for a much simpler naturalization process for acquiring Greek citizenship at a later stage.

Benefits of Expatriate Status

This move will bring joy, pride, faith, and hope to tens of thousands of persecuted brothers, reconnecting and strengthening their ties with their homeland. It will enhance their social, economic, and cultural standing through relevant Greek government programs. In cases of crises or danger, it will offer them the option of immediate relocation to the safety of our homeland.

For Greece, especially if combined with parallel actions in political, diplomatic, economic, and military spheres, this step will provide significant geostrategic depth. It will establish Greece as a key regional player, strengthening the Greece-Cyprus-Middle East axis and safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty and rights. Domestically, it will address demographic challenges, labor shortages, and the revival of depopulated areas, particularly in border regions. This move will also signal to our homogeneis worldwide (in the Balkans, the Black Sea region, the Diaspora, etc.) that their homeland recognizes and supports them in their difficulties.

A Historic Turning Point

Historically, this decision marks the end of a decline and the beginning of an expansion and flourishing of our Genos. The establishment of the Greek state, under the pressure of the Great Powers of the time, created a closed nation-state, abandoning the ecumenical, supra-national Romeike tradition of our Genos. Consequently, many millions of Romeoi from the Balkans, Asia Minor, the Black Sea region, and the Middle East were completely severed from the new state, losing their orientation and identity and gradually assimilating into the nationalisms of their regions.

Recognizing the Homogeneia status of the Romeoi in the Middle East initiates a reverse historical course with further steps to come, filling us and future generations with hope, joy, unity, faith, and optimism.

Ioannis Kon. Neonakis
Head of the Romeosyne Section of NIKI
romiosynh@nikh.gr