On the Modern Royal House of Ghassan
The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan
The Ghassanids (Arabic: al-Ghasāsinah), also known as Banū Ghassān, meaning "Sons of Ghassān," and “Jafnids” are the over fifteen million descendants of the South Arabian Romanized/Hellenized Christian people who migrated in the early third century CE from Yemen to the Hauran region in southern Syria, Jordan, and the Holy Land.
The Ghassanid Dynasty spanned from 220 CE until 1921 CE through several different states namely the Kingdom of Ghassan 220-638 CE, Eastern Roman (Byzantine Empire – Phocid Dynasty) 802-813 CE, the Island of Rhodes 1203-1250 CE, the Sheikhdom (Principality) of Akoura 1211-1633 CE, the Sultanate of Rasul 1229-1454 CE, the Sheikhdom (Principality) of Zgharta-Zawyie 1641-1747 CE, and the Principality of Jabal Shamar 1836-1921 CE, being the longest-reigning Arab dynasty that held dominion over vastest territory in recorded history, also being the oldest Christian dynasty still in existence.
It is well documented that during their First State (220-638 CE), the Ghassanids functioned as a diplomatic and cultural “bridge” and a buffer zone between the West (Byzantine Empire) and the Middle Eastern peoples.
After the advent of Islam and the fall of the First State in 638 CE, the Christian branch of the El Chemor dynasty has been systematically persecuted since its rulers refused to convert. The family, as well as the Maronites and Christian Ghassanids as a people, continue to be persecuted under Muslim regimes today.
Even though they were persecuted, the descendants of the Ghassanid rulers never abandoned their sovereign claims, using their titles publicly and uninterruptedly until today, and the Maronite Church in Lebanon has well recorded them. In addition, with the deaths in Lebanon while under Ottoman rule during the First World War, where half of the population died from starvation or serving the Ottoman conscripted military, it is not difficult to trace the heritage of Maronites in the Mount Lebanon region.
It is well documented that the titles of the Ghassanid sovereign rulers and their descendants have been consistently legally recognized uninterruptedly by several states in the Middle East since 1211 CE until the present day. The Sheiks El Chemor of Kfarhara, Lebanon, have retained the royal title since the assassination of HIRH Youssef El Chemor, Sheikh El Chemor, the last sovereign prince of Zgharta-Zawye, in 1747 CE.
The current El Chemor/Gharios family descends from the last Christian ruler, Prince Sheikh Yousef El Chemor (who ruled in the 18th century), and cousins of Prince Muhammad bin Talal Al Rashid, who was the twelfth and last Emir of Jabal Shammar (Chemor) in Ha’il and ruled until 2 November 1921. From this line, the modern Royal House of Ghassan descends, and the foundation on which HIRH Sheikh Antonios El Chemor passed on to the next generation to build.
In 2009, the sons of HIRH Sheikh Antonios El Chemor of Kfarhara, Lebanon, elected by the traditional Arab method of Bay’a, their cousin, Ahnume Guerios of Brazil, a member of the royal Gharios Habbaki Sheikh El Chemor branch of the family, which also descends from HIRH Youssef El Chemor, Sheikh El Chemor, the last sovereign prince of Zgharta-Zawye in 1747 CE, to be the Head of House and Name and to continue the work of their father. HIRH Selim Sheikh El Chemor was named the Crown Prince and head of the House in Lebanon.
International Arbitration Award (Brazil and USA)
HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII (nee. Ahnume Guerios) was legally recognized as the “Official and legal Head of the Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan” and the “Sovereign Prince of Ghassan” through the International Arbitration Award No. 0413/2011, issued in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 18th, 2011 having federal legal standing based on the law number 9307 of 1996 (articles 18, 31, 33, and § 1), internationally legal standing based on the “New York Convention of 1958” with 172 State parties, and subsequently recognized and enforced by the Los Angeles Superior Court on February 24th, 2012 (case number BS-135337) and on March 15th, 2016 (case number BS-159726). The decision finds HIRH Prince Gharios, a descendant through the direct and continuous paternal line of the Kings of Ghassan, Byzantine Emperors of Nikephoros (Phocid) and Macedonia Dynasties, and the Sheiks of Chemor of Mount Lebanon; lawfully owning the following titles:
Official and legal Head of the Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan;
His Imperial and Royal Highness, Sovereign Prince of Ghassan Al-Nu’Man VIII;
His Imperial and Royal Majesty ‘De Jure’ King of Ghassan Al-Nu’Man VIII;
His Imperial Majesty ’De Jure’ Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine);
His Highness Sheik Chemor of Akoura and Zgharta Zawiye (Mount Lebanon);
His Majesty "King of all (Christian) Arabs;"
Imperial Majesty Augustus (Sebastos); and
Byzantium Patrik.
By tradition, at the passing of HIRH Prince Gharios, the headship to the Royal House of Ghassan will pass to HIRH Prince Sheikh Selim ibn Antonious El Chemor, his brothers or his descendants, according to the Ghassanid Laws of Succession. As Regent, HIRH Prince Sheikh Selim shall decide on every matter of the succession, and HIRH Prince Sheikh Selim is heir apparent and Crown Prince of Ghassan.
The Royal House becomes an International Legal Entity as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
To have standing under international law, The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan in its modern manifestation was legally established on August 18th, 2011, in Los Angeles, California, United States of America as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) as the dynastic, historical, legal, and cultural representative of the Royal Ghassanids and the Ghassanid people of all religions, comprising and representing all the dynasties ruled by Ghassanid Christian sovereigns from 220 CE until 1921 CE. As the legal incorporation of the Ghassanid Dynasty, it is the only remaining historical secular representation of the Middle Eastern Christians, the Royal House of Ghassan has been, for over a decade, supporting, helping, and advocating for all of the middle eastern Christian denominations not limiting itself to the Ghassanid Christian Arab ones, but also including the Egyptian, Iraqi, Turkish, and Armenian.
Accredited by the United Nations ECOSOC with Special Consultative Status
The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan was accredited with Special Consultative Status by the United Nations ECOSOC on July 26th, 2016.
In July 2016, HIRH Prince Gharios El-Chemor had an official audience with His All Holiness Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in Istanbul, Turkey. His All Holiness is the highest in honor (“first among equals”) among all the Patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church, representing over 300 million faithful. The two-hour-long conversation was focused on the history of the Ghassanid and Nikephorian (Byzantine Empire) Dynasties, which HIRH Prince Gharios is the legal heir of, and, of course, the main topic was the survival of the Christians in the Middle East and Prince Gharios’ proposal of the Council of Oriental Christians. During the visit, Prince Gharios and the delegation composed by the scholar and protestant bishop Prof. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, PhD, Mr. Martin Warnecke (both from Germany) and Pastor Dr. Behnan Konutgan (from Turkey) were invited for a special luncheon with the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Synod of Bishops, Prince Gharios was honored by the personal Patriarchal Blessing. Historically in Christianity, only the Patriarchs of Rome (Pope) and Constantinople may grant and recognize imperial titles (see Royal and Republican Sovereignty in Early Modern Europe, Cambridge University Press, pg.360).
In July 2016, HIRH Prince Gharios met with the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan of Istanbul. The Syrian (Syriac) Orthodox Church was the original denomination of the Ghassanids until the 7th Century. With the fall of the first Ghassanid State in Syria and Jordan, many Ghassanids fled to today’s Lebanon and to the Byzantine Empire (today’s Turkey). The royal family adhered to the mainstream Orthodox denomination and lived in the Byzantine Empire. In the 9th century, the second Ghassanid ruling happened with Emperor Nikephoros I in 802 CE. In Mount Lebanon, the family kept its Syriac Orthodox roots. However, the Mar Maroun (Saint Maroun) monastery monks decided in the 7th century to create a new Patriarchate, and that was how the Ghassanids became Maronite. Because of the obedience of the Maronites to the Pope in Rome and the absence of a Maronite church in Curitiba (Brazil) where Prince Gharios’ family was settled in exile, he became Roman Catholic. As part of a successful trip to Istanbul, HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor and his delegation visited the Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicar for Istanbul and Ankara, His Excellency Mor Filiksinos Yusuf Çetin. At the end of the audience, Prince Gharios was blessed by the Metropolitan in his mission protecting the Christians in the Middle East.
In July 2016, as part of a successful trip to Turkey, HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII had an audience with Prof.Dr. Rahmi Yaran the Grand Mufti of Istanbul . The Mufti has under him 3,100 mosques in Istanbul, one of the most populous cities in Europe, with over 14 million people. The highest Muslim authority in the country is only under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Prince Gharios’ delegation had the scholar and protestant bishop from Germany, Prof. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, PhD, Mr. Martin Warnecke from Germany, and Pastor Dr. Behnan Konutgan from Turkey. The Mufti joined Prince Gharios’ alliance for peace, condemning the terror and any violence against other religions. He also received the rank of Knight Commander of the Order of Michael Archangel.
The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan was officially acknowledged and received by the President of Albania on June 22, 2017, who also accepted honors of the Royal House. During the time in Albania in 2017, HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII, members of the Royal Family, and members of the board of the Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan traveled from different locations in the world, such as the USA, Lebanon, and Germany, to meet in Albania. There, they were officially received by the President of the Republic of Albania at the presidential palace and were invited to an exclusive luncheon by the president in honor of the Royal House of Ghassan. During the same trip, the Royal delegation was obligated to pay respects to the Royal House of the Albanians, headed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Leka II of the Albanians, sole heir to the Albanian throne. The Royal House has official legal status in Albania, recognized by the republic. HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor conferred the Order of Michael Archangel to HRH Crown Prince Leka II.
While in Albania in 2017, the Royal Ghassanid Family and board members of the Royal House of Ghassan have visited His Beatitude Patriarch Dr. Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania at the headquarters of the patriarchate in Tirana, Albania. The delegation was composed by the head of the Royal House of Ghassan HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor, the honorary head of the House HIRH Prince Cheikh Selim El Chemor, the International Vice-President of Operations and CEO of the Lebanese Branch of the House Sheikh Dr. Elie Gharios, the President of the Royal Ghassanid Academy of Arts and Sciences and Protestant Grand Chaplain of the Royal House of Ghassan Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, PhD, ThD, Mr. Martin Wernecke, knight of the Order of Saint Michael Archangel and Mr. Erion Prendi, the CEO of the Albanian Branch of the Royal House of Ghassan. The Royal House of Ghassan has given the Patriarch the highest rank of the Order of Michael Archangel and Life Membership in the Royal Ghassanid Academy of Arts and Sciences. His Beatitude took the Royal delegation on a tour of the magnificent headquarters facilities of the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Albania.
During the same time in 2017, while in Albania, HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII, head of the Royal House of Ghassan and members of the Ghassanid Royal Family, were officially received by the Grand Mufti of Albania, Dr. Skënder Bruçaj, the highest Sunni Muslim authority in the country. HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor discussed with His Excellency his initiative called “Alliance for Peace” regarding dialogue between Islam and the West, fighting the causes of the growing Islamophobia, receiving full support from the Sunni leader. For his work promoting peace between the religions, the Royal House of Ghassan has bestowed upon His Excellency the highest rank of the Order of Saint Michael Archangel. The delegation was composed by the head of the Royal House of Ghassan HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor, the honorary head of the House HIRH Prince Cheikh Selim El Chemor, the International Vice-President of Operations and CEO of the Lebanese Branch of the House Sheikh Dr. Elie Gharios, the President of the Royal Ghassanid Academy of Arts and Sciences and Protestant Grand Chaplain of the Royal House of Ghassan Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, PhD, ThD, Mr. Martin Wernecke, knight of the Order of Saint Michael Archangel and Mr. Erion Prendi, the CEO of the Albanian Branch of the Royal House of Ghassan.
The Ghassanid Royal Family and the Royal House of Ghassan board were honored to be received in a private audience by the Lebanese President, General Michel Aoun. Prince Gharios El Chemor discussed with President Aoun a cooperation to promote several programs in Lebanon, including education, and make Lebanon the region's leader of religious dialogue. Special thanks to Prince Gharios’ cousin, Dr. Naji Gharios, Member of the Lebanese Parliament and international councilor of the Royal House of Ghassan. Present in the audience with the President were several members of the board of the Royal House: Prince Gharios El Chemor, Dr. Naji Gharios, Sheikh Selim El Chemor, Dr. Elie Gharios, Camil Gharios, and Professor Thomas Schirrmaher from Germany. After the private audience, Lebanese President Gen. Michel Aoun received the highest rank of the Order of Michael Archangel at the presidential palace in Baabda. Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar (founded in 1933) article commenting on the Presidential agenda, citing the Royal House of Ghassan delegation and addressing Prince Gharios by the title (May 8th, 2017).
Officially recognized by the Government of the Lebanese Republic through the Presidential Decree
The Government of the Lebanese Republic officially recognized the Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan through the Presidential decree 5800/2019 on October 21st, 2019, after the Council of Ministers convened and approved. This also included an official decree from the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities General Directorate of Political Affairs and Refugees (Number: 814/4/2022) recognizing HRH Prince Sheikh Selim El Chemor as the current head of the Royal House branch in Lebanon, and HRH Prince Gharios as the Head of the international organization. The Royal House of Ghassan was also recognized by Lebanon, with its accreditation by the United Nations with the Special Consultative Status. This recognition was given after three separate investigations: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants (letter number 865/5 of March 6th, 2018); The Directorate General of the General Security (letter number 3839 of May 12th, 2017); and The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (conclusion). The Royal Family works in communion with the Lebanese Government, organizing several events through the One Voice Foundation. The Foundation is an “arm” of the Royal House of Ghassan, with HIRH Prince Gharios and Prince Sheikh Selim as part of the board, and its president is HE Antoine Kalaydjian.
On the 18th of June 2020, the world’s largest non-governmental body of Muslim leaders, The Global Imams Council, consisting of over 1,470 Muslim Imams and Scholars from all Islamic denominations and sects, recognized the Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, all its titles and statuses, and its head HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII as the only Middle Eastern Christian secular leader with the millennial historical legitimacy to represent all the Christians in the Middle East.
On April 28, 2023, Prince Gharios El Chemor participated in the "Al-Qalam: Poets in the Park" event in New York, invited by Ambassador Hadi Hachem. This event celebrated the rich history and contributions of the Arab American community, particularly the early Lebanese immigrants in Lower Manhattan. The event, organized by the Washington Street Historical Society, marked the establishment of the first Arab monument on US public land, commemorating the literary icons of the Pen Bond. Prince Gharios' participation highlighted the Royal House's dedication to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Arab diaspora.
March 16, 2024: Reception by the Lebanese Ambassador at the UN. In March 2024, Prince Gharios El Chemor was officially received by the Lebanese Ambassador to the United Nations, His Excellency Hadi Hachem. This meeting focused on discussing the current situation in Lebanon and the broader Middle Eastern region, particularly the challenges Christian communities face. The Ambassador, who shares familial ties with Prince Gharios, was honored with the Royal Order of Merit and the rank of Knight Commander. This visit underscored the Royal House's ongoing efforts to advocate for the rights and well-being of Christian communities in the Middle East.
Since 2016, the Royal House of Ghassan through delegations of the royal family have met with the following world and religious leaders and have received blessings from them, as well as have received honors of the House (see Royal Gazzette page of the Chancellery).
Current Recognized Royal Sheikhs El Chemor of Ghassan, Heirs of the Historical, Imperial, and Royal House of Ghassan
Sheikhs El Chemor of Kfarhata
HIRH Crown Prince Sheikh Selim El Chemor of Ghassan and all his descendants (Hon. Head of House and Name); HIRH Prince Sheikh Michel El Chemor of Ghassan and all his descendants; and HIRH Prince Sheikh Khalil El Chemor of Ghassan and all his descendants; and HIRH Prince Sheikh Antoine Majid El Chemor of Ghassan and all his descendants.
Sheikhs Gharios Habbaki El Chemor of Chiyah/Amchit
HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Numan VIII married HIRH Princess Consort Cristin Al-Numan El Chemor of Ghassan and all their descendants (Head of House and Name, descendant of Sheikh Fares bin Antoun Gharios, Al Habbaqi (El Chemor of Chiyah/Amchit)); and HRH Sheikh Dr. Naji Gharios, HH Cheikha Sonia Gharios, and their descendants (descendants of Sheikh Gharios bin Youssef, El Chemor of Chiyah/Amchit).