Patriarchate of Antioch Establishes New Diocese in Turkey
BALAMAND — The Holy Antiochian Synod has established the “Diocese of Tarsus, Adana, and the Region of Alexandretta (Hatay)” in Turkey. According to the Patriarchate’s Facebook post, this was done to address the pastoral needs of the faithful in southeastern Turkey.
The new diocese encompasses regions historically under the Patriarchate of Antioch—areas with ancient Christian heritage, such as Tarsus, birthplace of St. Paul.
Blessed by His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch, and supported by Metropolitans Athanasios of Latakia and Ephrem of Aleppo, a Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop will be appointed to guide the diocese, with Patriarch John X overseeing implementation.
Last month, U.S. president Donald Trump intervened with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on behalf of the Turkish Orthodox community.
The UOJ recently interviewed the author of a new Turkish-language book on Orthodox Christianity.
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