Introduction / History

Greeks are the descendants of the migrants from the Balkan Peninsula who came to Russia partly in the eighteenth century but mostly in the nineteenth century. This migration was the result of the political situation in the Balkans and the Russian-Turkish wars, leading to considerable movement of the population. The Christian population, oppressed and mercilessly robbed by the government of the Ottoman Empire, saw in Russia their liberator from the centuries-old Turkish oppression. They left their homes and followed the Russian army in masses.

In the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774, the Greek rebels from Greece fought on the Russian side, and after the war, a considerable part of them settled in Crimea. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Greek settlements had lost their military importance. The Greeks who lived in the steppe districts in the Crimea and on the coast used the Tatar language (they were called Greeks-Tatars). The other part, which lived in the mountain regions, preserved their own language, which was a dialect of the modern Greek language. This group was called "Greeks-Hellens."

There is a Greek diaspora in many countries, including France. Greeks have been in France since the days of the Greek Empire. They usually live in the cities of Paris, Lille, and Lyon.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Dozens of Greeks have influenced France. Commonly, they run restaurants or own small businesses but some have made their mark in film, and other cultural genres.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are Greek Orthodox. They are religious but lack understanding of the gospel and why they need a close relationship with the living God.

What Are Their Needs?

Greeks lean heavily on the Greek Orthodox Church for spiritual guidance. Some forget to look to Jesus Christ, the only Savior.

Prayer Items

Pray for Greeks in France to find a vibrant faith in Christ and become an example of what God can do for all of us.
Pray for the Lord to raise up and thrust out Greek disciples who will make more disciples in France.
Pray for France’s Greek community to hunger for spiritual meat and find it in Jesus Christ.

Scripture Prayers for the Greek in France.

References

Anonymous
https://www.journiest.com/french-greek-common-2314712931
https://alchetron.com/Greeks-in-France