Abstract
The Antiochian Dioceses in Turkey during the Ottoman Era
Elie Dannaoui
The article presents a historical overview of the Antiochian dioceses in Turkey during the Ottoman era, exploring their development and the challenges they faced. It approaches this issue from the perspective of the evolution of ecclesiastical administrative divisions and details the history and development of the dioceses of Aleppo and Alexandretta, Diyarbakir, Adana and Tarsus and Payas, and Erzurum, highlighting their religious and geographical significance. The article also investigates the reasons behind the retreat of the Antiochian presence in these dioceses, showcasing political factors such as persecution and massacres against Christians, demographic changes, and the annexation of the Sanjak of Alexandretta to Turkey, in addition to cultural factors including the linguistic conflict between Greek and Arabic, and religious factors involving the annexation of dioceses and parishes to other Orthodox churches and the impact of proselytism. Furthermore, the article discusses pastoral factors indicating neglect and the lack of pastoral care for Christians in these regions.
Keywords: Antiochian Dioceses in Turkey, Linguistic Conflict between Greek and Arabic, Ecclesiastical Administrative Divisions, Relations between Constantinople and Antioch.
