Since the middle of the 19th century, Chaldeans started to come to Lebanon, from neighboring countries, especially, Syria, Iraq and Turkey. And that, urged the Chaldean Patriarch “ABOISHOH KHAYAT” to appoint a special priest, Father, YUSSEF TAWIL, in 1895, as Patriarchal Delegate, to regard their needs, and unify them together. He died in Lebanon on 17 / 6 / 1919.
Mr. MANSOUR KYRIAKOS succeeded him on 19 / 9 / 1919. But a disagreement occurred between him and Patriarchate. He later left Lebanon. And Mr. YUSSEF TUFENKJI, was appointed, Patriarchal Delegate, instead of him on 19 / 12 / 1925, till his death on 1950.
Then, Bishop GABRIEL NEHMO, returned and appointed Mr. KYRIAKOS, his delegate in Lebanon, till his death on 1956 Mr. GABRIEL BATTA, was attending the diocese, since 1936, and succeeded Mr. KYRIAKOS on 1956, till he retired. On 1958, Lebanon was separated from Syria diocese, and Bishop GABRIEL NEHMO, was appointed to Lebanon only. He appointed Father AUGUSTINE SADEK, his delegate; he was serving in Lebanon, till the left, during the Lebanon War, to Iraq on 1976. At the same time, Father EMMANUEL RAMMO helped him giving service in Lebanon till 1967. On 12/4/1964, after the death of Bishop NEHMO, his delegate Mr. GABRIEL GANNI, was appointed, Bishop of Beirut. But on 1966, he left upon his request, to Basra - Iraq.
Then Bishop RAPHAEL BIDAWID was appointed to Beirut Diocese till he was elected, Patriarch of the Chaldean Community on 21/5/1989, up on his nomination on Babylon Patriarchate on 26/5/1989, he appointed Mr. LOUIS EL DEYRANI his delegate, to Beirut Diocese and was attending to diocese since 1966, he later left to Canada on 1996 up on his request.

Then, Bishop YUSSEF THOMAS was appointed on Beirut Diocese on 1996. He had the big honor to establish strong connections between the community’s sons, and strengthen relations with others and cultivate love in all people. He died, in Lebanon on 21/12/1999, and was buried in Alqosh – Iraq.

Father MICHEL KASSARTI, Proma Lebanese origin, was appointed, as priest, on 1989, and as general delegate in Beirut on 1999.
His Beatitude BIDAWID died on 7/7/2003 and buried in Lebanon in Community’s cemeteries under the Cathedral of St Raphael. The Chaldean Synod elected Mr. Michele Kassarji, as Bishop of Beirut Chaldean Diocese on 2001. He activated in gathering the community’s sons and accomplishes the pastoral mission completely and plant love between all people firmly. He has the great honor in arranging diocese needs, and provides the necessary financial incomes to accomplish the metropolis building and furnished it completely. He realized the diocese cemeteries building in Nahr El Mot, which is the first according to the best modern qualifications.

Representation of the Community in Lebanon:

The Chaldean Community in Lebanon is one of the historical (eighteen) others officially in Lebanon and to keep its honor and dignity, through the Lebanese Community. They did their best to be represented in different ecclesiastical, patriotic, and social opportunities. We hope from the civilian authorities to look as good father, to take care of their sons, to share equally, in attending the Lebanese Community, lovely and proudly.

Diocese Parishes:

Beirut Chaldean Diocese consists of:

•Bishopric center, and St. Raphael Cathedral, and Chaldean Youth Club, at Brasilia, Baabda since 1991.
•Mother perpetual help, Parish, at Sad El Bouchrieh.
•St. Therese Parish, at Zahle, directed by the late father AUGUSTINE JIZRAOUI since 1955, until his death on 1975. Now,
Maronite Bishopric of Zahle, is authorized to attend, the parish, in Zahle and Ksara, which consists about one hundred
Chaldean families.
•In Tripoli, where they are living, twenty Chaldean families, attend by Maronite Bishopric of Tripoli.
•The total number of Chaldean in Lebanon is about ten Thousand people.

Community’s Council:

1. The establishments and councils of the Chaldean Community, recalled their activities and vitalities. At the end of the
1960th, the highest council of Chaldean Community in Lebanon was established. Recently, Mr. ANTOINE HAKIM is the
president. The council’s role is to advise and assign wisely counsels with the bishop.
2. The Chaldean Charitable Society, established on 1936. The recent President is Dr. George Ezzo. They share giving financial
aids to the poor people, especially the Iraqi people who came to Lebanon, to escape from difficulties of Iraqi’s War.
3. Chaldean youth association: established on 1957. It consists of; educational, social and leisure committees. A lot of best Chaldean youth people joined it. They issued “BABEL” Magazine for several years. It had a big role to give information of the Chaldean community. However, it stopped during the war. The recent president is Mr. “SAID AKHRAS” who is working with lots of energy and activity to unite youth Chaldean people. The youth club costs a lot on many programs, giving lectures and performing parties to the youth people and their friends.

The Chaldean Pastoral Council:

The first pastoral council was established on 1984. He was assigned to raise many lectures and biblical gatherings and was interested to pay visits to the Chaldean families, teaching Catechism and preparing the children for the first communism. Now, it is renewed by energetic committee to give help to Father JOSEPH MALKOUN in spiritual and pastoral needs.

The Ecclesiastic Choirs:

The first Chaldean Ecclesiastic Choir was established in Lebanon on 1960, assisted by Father AUGUSTINE SADEK, at St. Therese Cathedral – Nasra.

Then the late bishop EPHREM BEDE took care of directing it. He put a lot of effort to renew and modernize the beautiful Chaldean sings. The Choir was called “St. ADDAI CHOIR” then the Chaldean musical composer Mr. Victor Hanna, directed the Choir and helped too much to renew it. Recently, Mr. Imad Chamoun is the manager and the Chaldean nuns are giving him assistance. The do their utmost, training members of the choir or the most beautiful and historical Chaldean and Arabic sings.
Also, there is the “Mother Perpetual” Chaldean choir at Sad El Bouchrieh, sharing the “Mass service”, especially dedicated for the Chaldean Iraqi people, and directed by sister “Rahma” from Chaldean nuns.

Conclusion:

Many respectful Chaldean Bishops and Zealous Priests, succeeded on this magnificent community, sharing the Chaldeans, their pride, spirituality and sociability. This, however, gives a big value to our people in Lebanon, giving us confidence and respect from the other committees.
Today, as children of this deep rooted community, it is requested from us, to be unified around our honored Bishop Michele Kassarji, who is completely devoted and assigns himself to be the good shepherd for all the community.
We have to be loyal, and we have to put all our efforts. And, we have to be faithful to our grandfathers, who are our deep roots.