Between and after the Two Great Wars, millions of eastern Christians were forced to leave their homeland in search of a new haven. Many of them sought refuge in western European countries such a France and Britain. For example, there is still a considerable number of Syrian and Lebanese Christians in France who emigrated from their country because of religious tensions and civil wars. More decided to sail upon the Oceans and made their homes in the new World. In fact, Washington D.C. is home to many such immigrant groups. These groups in diaspora managed to thrive thousands of miles away from their homeland, running business, becoming naturalised in their new homeland, and still clinging to their own heritage.