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name= Roman Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East[[Image:Antioch logo.gif|center|Church of Antioch]]|

primate=[[Ignatius IV John X (HazimYazigi) of Antioch|Patriarch Ignatius IVJohn X (Yazigi)]]|

territory=Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, parts of Turkey|possessions=United States, Canada, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, Great Britain, Western Europe|

population=750,000 to 1,000,0002 million|website=[http://www.antiochpat.org/ Church of Antioch]

The early history of the Church of Antioch is detailed in the [[Acts of the Apostles]], where in Acts 11:23 26 the [[Apostle Luke]] records that it was in that city that the disciples of Christ were first called [[Christian]]s. Due to the importance of Antioch as a major center in the ancient [[Roman Empire]], many of the missionary efforts of the [[apostles]] were launched from that city. In the early centuries of the Church's history, it was natural that the Church sojourning in Antioch would come to be traditionally regarded as one of the centers of world Christianity. The territory that came to be associated with the [[bishop]] of Antioch was that of the Roman Diocese of the East (a [[diocese ]] was originally an Imperial imperial governmental division before it became an ecclesiastical one).

During the pre-Nicene period and that of the [[Ecumenical Councils]], Christian theology centered in Antioch tended to emphasize the literal, historical facts of the life of [[Jesus Christ]] over philosophical or allegorical [[hermeneutics|interpretations]] of [[Holy Scripture]], contrasted with the more mystical and figurative theology coming from [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]]. Antiochian theology, though stressing the "earthier" side of interpretation, nevertheless did not neglect the importance of insight into the deeper, spiritual meaning of the Scriptures. These two viewpoints came to be known respectively as the [[Antiochian school]] and the [[Catechetical School of Alexandria|Alexandrian school]], represented by major catechetical institutions at both places.

Major figures associated with the origin of the Antiochian school include [[Lucian of Antioch]] and [[Paul of Samosata]], but its real formation was found with writers such as [[Diodore of Tarsus]], [[John Chrysostom]], [[Theodore of Mopsuestia]], [[Nestorius]], and [[Theodoret of Cyrrhus]]. At times, this difference in emphasis caused conflicts within the Church as the tension between the two approaches came to a head, especially regarding the doctrinal disputes over [[Arianism]] and [[Nestorianism]]. Saints such as [[John Chrysostom]] are somewhat regarded as synthesizers of the Antiochian and Alexandrian approaches to theology, and the Antiochian school of theology, whose more deviant proponents produced [[Arianism]] and [[Nestorianism]], also enabled the Orthodox fight against the Alexandrian school's deviances, namely [[Apollinarianism]] and [[Eutychianism]].

[[Image:Hama church.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The Church of the Entrance of the Theotokos in Hama, Syria]]Disputes over the [[Christology]] of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council]] at Chalcedon—the [[Monophysitism|Monophysite]] controversy—in 451 led to a [[schism]] within the Church of Antioch, which at that same council was elevated to the status of a [[patriarchate]]. The larger group at the time repudiated the council and became what is now the [[Church of Antioch (Jacobite)|Syriac Orthodox Church]], (also called the "Jacobites" (named for [[Jacob Baradeus]], an early bishop of theirs who did extensive missionary work in the region). They currently comprise constitute part of the [[Oriental Orthodox]] communion and hold to maintain a [[Christology ]] somewhat different in wording, but possibly the same in essence, as language from that promulgated from of [[Chalcedon]].

The remainder of the Church of Antioch, primarily local Greeks or Hellenized sections of the indigenous population, remained in communion with Rome , Constantinople, Alexandria, and ConstantinopleJerusalem. This is the current ''Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East'' which is considered by the other bishops of the Orthodox Church to be the sole legimate legitimate heir to the [[see]] of Antioch.

The [[schism ]] greatly weakened the Antiochian church, and in 637 when Antioch fell to the [[Islam|Muslim]] Arabs, the "Greek" church was perceived by the invaders as allied to the Romano-Byzantine enemies of the Arabs. During the subsequent period, Antiochian Orthodox Christians underwent a lengthy period of persecution, and there were multiple periods of either vacancy or non-residence on the Antiochian patriarchal throne during the 7th and 8th centuries. In 969, the Roman Empire regained control of Antioch, and the church there prospered again until 1085, when the Seljuk Turks took the city. During this period of more than a hundred years, the traditional West Syrian [[liturgy]] of the church was gradually replaced by that of the tradition of the Great Church, [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]] in Constantinople. This process was completed sometime in the 12th century.

In 1098, Crusaders took the city and set up a Latin Patriarchate of Antioch to adorn its Latin Kingdom of Syria, while a Greek patriarchate continued in exile in Constantinople. After nearly two centuries of Crusader rule, the Egyptian Mamelukes seized Antioch in 1268, and the Orthodox patriarch, [[Theodosius IV of Antioch|Theodosius IV]], was able to return to the region. By this point, Antioch itself had been reduced to a smaller town, and so in the 14th century [[Ignatius II of Antioch|Ignatius II]] transferred the seat of the patriarchate to Damascus, where it remains to this day, though the patriarch retains the Antiochian title. The Ottoman Turks conquered the city in 1517, under whose control it remained until the breakup of the [[Ottoman empire|Ottoman Empire]] at the end of World War I. During this period, in 1724, the Church of Antioch was again weakened by schism, as a major portion of its faithful came into submission to the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. The resultant [[Uniate]] body is known as the [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]], which in the current day maintains close ties with the Orthodox and is currently holding ongoing talks about healing the schism and returning the Melkites to Orthodoxy.

The Ottoman Turks conquered Fearing for the city in 1517, under whose control it remained until the breakup preservation of the Ottoman Empire at the end Orthodoxy of World War I. During this period, in 1724, the Church of Antioch was again weakened by schismAntiochian see, as a major portion of its faithful came into submission to parishioners and bishops requested the [[Roman Catholic Churchecumenical Patriarch]]ate to send them a Greek patriarch. The resultant Greek presence on the Antiochian see lasted from 1724 to 1898 until [[UniateMeletius II (Doumani) of Antioch|Malathius I (Doumani)]] body is known as the [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]]Damascene, an Arab patriarch, was appointed. A renewal movement, which involving Orthodox youth in particular, has been under way since the current day maintains close ties with the Orthodox and is currently holding ongoing talks about healing the schism and returning the Melkites to Orthodoxy1940s.

By the 18th century the great majority ===The Antiochian church today===[[Image:John Yazigi.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[John X (Yazigi) of Antioch|Patriarch John X (Yazigi) of Antioch]]]]The [[St. John of the communicants Damascus Institute of the Antiochian church were ArabsTheology (Tripoli, Lebanon)|St. In 1898 the last Greek patriarch was deposedJohn of Damascus Patriarchal Institute of Theology (Tripoli, and an Arab successor Lebanon)]] was elected in 1899. Thus established by the patriarchate became fully Arab in character. A strong renewal movement1970, involving Orthodox youth and in particular, has been under way since 1988 it was fully incorporated into the University of Balamand. The Institute functions as the primary [[seminary]] for theological schooling for the 1940spatriarchate's [[clergy]] and [[laity|lay]] leaders.

===The Antiochian Church Today===[[Image:Ignatius Hazim.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Holy Synod]] of Antioch includes the [[Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch|Patriarch Ignatius IV of Antiochpatriarch]]]]The and all the ruling [[St. John of Damascus Patriarchal Institute of Theology (Tripoli, Lebanon)bishop]] was established by s. Meetings are held each year in Spring and Autumn at the patriarchate in 1970to consider church-wide issues, and to elect the patriarch and other bishops as needed. The patriarch and holy synod govern the Church of Antioch to preserve the true faith, to maintain ecclesiastical order, and in 1988 it was fully incorporated into to carry out the University commandments of BalamandChrist. The Institute functions as In addition to the primary seminary for theological schooling for synod itself, a general conciliar body meets twice a year to see to the financial, educational, judicial, and administrative matters of the patriarchate's clergy . It is composed of members of the synod and of lay leadersrepresentatives. When a new patriarch is to be elected, this body selects three candidates from whom the holy synod chooses the new patriarch.

The most recent [[Holy Synodpatriarch]] was His Beatitude Patriarch [[Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch is comprised of the [[patriarch]] and all the East, elected in 1979. Patriarch Ignatius was particularly active [[metropolitan]]sin strengthening ties with other Christian communions, who meet at least annually but particularly with those whose roots are in Antioch. His Beatitude and function to elect the patriarch and other [[bishopholy synod]]s and to govern of Antioch were enthusiastic for the Church of Antioch to preserve the faith and maintain ecclesiastical order. In addition to the Synod itself, a participate in general conciliar body meets twice a year to see to the financial, educational, judicial and administrative matters of the patriarchate. It is composed of the members talks between representatives of all the Synod Eastern Orthodox and of lay representatives. When a new patriarch is to be elected, this body selects three candidates from whom the Holy Synod chooses to the new patriarchOriental Orthodox Churches.

The current patriarch is His Beatitude Patriarch [[Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch]] At Anba Bishoy in Egypt and all the Eastat Chambesy in Switzerland, elected plenary talks were held resulting in 1979[http://www. Patriarch Ignatius has been particularly active antiochian.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&id=106&sectionid=24&Itemid=63 agreements] in strengthening ties with other Christian communions1989, but particularly with those whose roots are in Antiochian Orthodoxy1990 and 1993. To this end, on [[July 22]], 1991, he met with All official representatives of the Syriac ("Jacobite") Antiochian Patriarch, Ignatius Zakka I (Iwas), Eastern Orthodox and the two patriarchs signed a document which called for "complete and mutual respect Oriental Orthodox there present reached agreement in these dialogues that the Christological differences between the two churchescommunions are more a matter of emphasis than of substance." It also forbade Although elements in a number of the Eastern Orthodox Churches have criticized the passing of faithful from one church to apparent consensus reached by the otherrepresentatives at Anba Bishoy and Chambesy, envisaged joint meetings the patriarch and holy synod of the two Holy Synods when appropriateAntiochian Orthodox Church welcomed the agreements as positive moves towards a sharing in the Love of God, and provided (as yet unrealized) guidelines for intercommunion a rejection of the faithful and even [[Eucharis]]tic concelebration by the [[clergy]] hatred of the two churchesinsubstantial division.

As recommended in the Agreement of 1990, the Antiochian (Eastern) Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius has also overseen participation in a bilateral commission IV formally met with the Syriac (Oriental) Orthodox Patriarch, Ignatius Zakka I, on [[Melkite Greek Catholic ChurchJuly 22]], 1991. At that formal meeting, the two patriarchs signed a [http://www.antiochian.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&id=106&sectionid=24&Itemid=63 pastoral agreement] which is exploring ways of healing the 18th century schism called for "complete and returning mutual respect between the Melkites to Orthodoxytwo churches. In an unprecedented event, " It also prohibited the Meklite Patriarch Maximos V addressed a meeting passing of faithful from one church to the Orthodox Holy Synod other, envisaged joint meetings of Antioch in October the two holy synods when appropriate, and provided for future guidelines for intercommunion of 1996. In May of 1997, the Holy Synod met faithful and declared that the whole [[PaschaEucharist]]ltide period is to be observed festally, thus balancing the lengthy fasting of ic [[Great Lentconcelebration]] with an equal non-fasting period in celebration of by the Resurrection of [[Jesus Christclergy]]of the two churches. The Church of Antioch expects these guidelines to be issued when the faithful of both churches are ready, but not before.

This decisionPatriarch Ignatius also oversaw participation in a bilateral commission with the [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]], which is exploring ways of healing the diplomatic activities18th century schism between the Melkite Catholics and the Antiochian Orthodox. In an unprecedented event, [[Melkite]] Patriarch Maximos V addressed a meeting of the Orthodox holy synod in October 1996.  The members of the holy synod of Antioch continue to explore greater communication and more friendly meetings with their Syriac, Melkite, and other moves Maronite brothers and sisters, who all share a common heritage.  With the onset of the civil war in Syria in 2010, the situation of Christians in Syria has worsened. Several churches have attacked and destroyed, and many Christians have been expelled by rebels and become refugees. Patriarch Ignatius and remained on the Patriarchal throne until his death in 2012. The Holy Synod have drawn criticism from some elements within of the mainstream Orthodox Church and particularly from "resistance" groups who have walled themselves off from communion with most of world Orthodoxy. Of Antioch then elected the churches receiving criticism former Antiochian Metropolitan for alleged "Europe, John Yazigi to the patriarchal throne of Antioch on [[ecumenismDecember 17]]", 2012, with the title of His Beatitude [[John X (Yazigi) of Antioch|John X of Antioch has received probably ]] and all the greatest amountEast.

[[Image:Antiochian bishops.jpg|right|thumb|300px|'''New Antiochian bishops with the patriarch'''<br>Left to Right: Bp. [[Mark (Maymon) of Toledo]], Patr. [[Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch]], Bp. [[Thomas (Joseph) of Oakland]], Bp. [[Alexander (Mufarrij) of Ottawa]]]]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, the Arabian Peninsular, and parts of Turkey, the Church of Antioch also includes missionary dioceses in Central, North , and South America, in Europe, and in Australia and New Zealandthe Pacific. The largest archdiocese of with the patriarchate largest population is the [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|North America]], and it . It is also the only one with internal [[diocese]]s. The archdiocese with the largest area is [[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand|Australia and New Zealand]]. Estimates of the membership of the patriarchate range from 750,000 to over 1,000,000in Syria alone.

==Notable Antiochian Saintssaints==Over the centuries, the Church of Antioch has been associated with many [[saint]]s on the Church's calendar. These include the following:[[Image:Antiochian saints.jpg|right|thumb|250px200px|[[Synaxis]] of the Great [[Saint]]s of the Holy Church of Antioch]][[Image:Column of Simeon.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Column of St. [[Symeon the Stylite]], Syria]]

==DiocesesStructure==The Antiochian Patriarchate consists of nineteen [[archdiocese]]s, each ruled by a Metropolitan Archbishop. Of these, only the Archdiocese of North America has constituent [[diocese]]s. 

*[[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand|Archdiocese of Australia and , New Zealandand All Oceania]]

{{churches}}==See Also== [[List of Patriarchs of Antioch]]

* [http://www.antiochpat.org/ The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East] (Official Website)(Arabic and English)* [http://www.cnewa.org/ecc-bodypgdefault.aspx?eccpageIDID=15&IndexViewpagetypeID=toc 9&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1 Eastern Christian Churches: The Patriarchate of Antioch], a scholarly text by Ronald Roberson, CSP, a Roman Catholic priest and Eastern Christianity scholar*[http://www.cc.uoa.gr/theology/html/english/pubs/doctrsec/scouteris/27/27.pdf The Spiritual Tradition of the Antioch Patriarchate], by Prof. [[Constantine Scouteris]]*[http://www.antiochcentre.net/ 'Antioch']: A Centre for Antiochian Orthodox Christian Studies and Research (Oxford, UK)*[http://www.antiochian.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=22&Itemid=57 Photos of patriarchal sites]

===Archdioceses and Diocesesdioceses===

*[http://akkarorthodox.com/new/ Archdiocese of Akkar] (Official Website)*[http://www.alepporthodox.org/ Archdiocese of Aleppo] (Official Website)*[http://www.gulforthodoxchurch.org/ Archdiocese of Baghdad] (Official Website)*[http://www.quartos.org.lb/ Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut] (Arabic and EnglishOfficial Website)*[http://www.ortmtlborthodoxhauran.org.lb/ Orthodox Christian joomla/ Archdiocese of Byblos and Botrys Bosra] (Mount LebanonOfficial Website)*[http://www.lattakiaorth.org/ Archdiocese of Lattakia] (Arabic and EnglishOfficial Website)*[http://www.alepporthodoxortmtlb.org.lb/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of AleppoMount Lebanon] (Arabic and EnglishOfficial Website)*[http://www.lattakiaortharchorthotripoli.org/ Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of LattakiaTripoli] (ArabicOfficial Website)

*[http://www.chileortodoxo.comcl/ Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Chile] (Spanish)*[http://www.acoantioquena.com Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and all Argentina] (Spanish and English)

*[http://www.antiochian-orthodox.coantiocheurope.ukorg/diocese.htm Antiochian Orthodox Diocese in Archdiocese of Western and Central Europe] (Arabic, English, French, German, Italian)*[http://www.rum-orthodox.de/ Greek Antiochian Orthodox Church of Antioch in Germany] (German)

====The PacificOceania====*[http://www.antiochianantiochianarch.org.au/ Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Australia and , New Zealandand the Philippines]