Changes

This decision, the diplomatic activities, and other moves by Patriarch Ignatius and the Holy Synod have drawn criticism from some elements within the mainstream Orthodox Church and particularly from "resistance" groups who have walled themselves off from communion with most of world Orthodoxy. Of the churches receiving criticism for alleged "[[ecumenism]]", Antioch has received probably the greatest amount.

Extensive 20th and 21st century Arab immigration to the New World has further increased the size, vigor and influence of the Church of Antioch, and the majority of Antiochian faithful now reside outside the Middle East and include numerous non-Arabic converts to the Orthodox Christian faith. As a result, besides its Middle Eastern territories in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, and parts of Turkey, the Church of Antioch also includes missionary dioceses in North and South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The largest archdiocese of the patriarchate is the [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]], and it is also the only one with internal [[diocese]]s. Estimates of the membership of the patriarchate range from 750,000 to over 1,000,000.