Topic: how to say this in Arabic?

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

so, there is a foreign exchange student at school from Lebanon.  how do you ask, in the Lebenese dialect of Arabict "what Christian denomination are you?"  He says he's a Christian.  He's very lonely, and there is a Lebanase couple at Church, and I'd like to take him along.  but, I want to know what denom. he is, so I know he'll be comfortable.  I have a feeling he's a Maronite Catholic, but I can't be sure.

thanks!

[ialmisry]

anta min ayyi Taa'ifah?

That's standard for "What denomination are you?"  More likely to be said "anta min ayyi kaniisah?" "What church are you from?"

My guess is that he would be interested in just seeing fellow Lebanese, especially fellow Christians of whatever stripe.

Mawaarinah Maronite.

Ruum urthudhuks Orthodox

Ruum kaathuuliiik Melchites

protosTAntiiyiin Protestants.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

anta min ayyi Taa'ifah?

That's standard for "What denomination are you?"  More likely to be said "anta min ayyi kaniisah?" "What church are you from?"

My guess is that he would be interested in just seeing fellow Lebanese, especially fellow Christians of whatever stripe.

yes.  I must admit, I'm a very ignorant American!  I was astounded that he hasn't heard of Halloween.  If he is indeed an Orthodox or Eastern Catholic, that will be fine.  I just don't want to be taking a Baptist to an Orthodox service, unaware of how different it is!

[ialmisry]

anta min ayyi Taa'ifah?

That's standard for "What denomination are you?"  More likely to be said "anta min ayyi kaniisah?" "What church are you from?"

My guess is that he would be interested in just seeing fellow Lebanese, especially fellow Christians of whatever stripe.

yes.  I must admit, I'm a very ignorant American! 

That you are asking this shows you cant' be that ignorant.

I was astounded that he hasn't heard of Halloween.  If he is indeed an Orthodox or Eastern Catholic, that will be fine.  I just don't want to be taking a Baptist to an Orthodox service, unaware of how different it is!

For some Protestant Lebanese, that may be a problem. Most, however, being such a minority in Lebanon and the Middle East in general, are used to us.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

well, as it turns out, I misunderstood him.  he now says that he's not a Christian.  He's something called "Druze".  does anyone know about this?  he says that he's still glad to come to Liturgy with me and meet my Lebanese friends. 

so, how different is Orthodoxy from this "Druze" thing?

[ialmisry]

well, as it turns out, I misunderstood him.  he now says that he's not a Christian.  He's something called "Druze".  does anyone know about this?  he says that he's still glad to come to Liturgy with me and meet my Lebanese friends. 

so, how different is Orthodoxy from this "Druze" thing?

LOL. Very, some would say. They believe that the caliph al-Hakim is God (he tore down the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem)  Casey Kassem (though you may be too young to remember him) was Druze. They are Muslim (although the Muslims do not admit to them), but they get along well enough usually.  It is sort of like Freemasonry (their rituals and beliefs are secret: not even all of them are allowed to see their own scritpure).

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

well, he's stoll OK with coming to liturgy.  it really excited me today.  he is the only one I've ever told I'm Orthodox and not had to explain what Orthodoxy was for him to know!  He says that there are many Orthodox in Lebanon.