Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Damascus

Archeparchy of Damascus (Melkite Greek) Archeparchy Damascena Graecorum Melkitarum
Location
Country	Syria
Statistics
Population - Catholics	(as of 2010) 150,000
Parishes	20
Information
Denomination	Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Rite	Byzantine Rite
Established	3rd century
Cathedral	Our Lady of the Dormition Cathedral
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Patriarch	Gregory III Laham
Vicar General	Joseph Absi

Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Damascus of the Melkites (in Latin: Archeparchy Damascena Graecorum Melkitarum) is a metropolitan and patriarchal see. In 2010 there were 150,000 baptized. The current vicar of Patriarch Gregory III Laham is Joseph Absi.

Territory and statistics

The archeparchy is headquartered in the city of Damascus, where is located the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Dormition.

The territory is divided into 20 parishes and there were 150,000 Melkite Catholics in 2010.

History

The headquarters in Damascus has ancient origins (3rd century). From the 14th century, with the decline of the city of Antioch, Damascus became the seat of the Greek Orthodox patriarchs.

Following the schism within the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch in 1724 was erected a seat of Melkite Greek Catholic Church.

Since 1838 Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Damascus is subject to the Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, who is represented by a patriarchal vicar, almost always with the dignity of bishop. From 13 October 2006 the patriarchal vicar is Joseph Absi, titular archbishop of Tarsus of the Greek Melkites and former superior general of the Society of the Missionaries of Saint Paul.

See also

List of Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchs of Antioch

External Links

• http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/ddamm.html
• http://www.pgc-lb.org/fre/melkite_greek_catholic_church/Siege-patriarcal-d-antioche-Damas
• https://web.archive.org/web/20120419194326/http://www.pgc-lb.org/english/Church3.shtml#Damas
• http://pgc-sy.org/