The Patriarchate of Antioch established a new diocese in Turkey

The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Antioch decided to establish a new diocese in Turkey. The new church structure was named the Holy Episcopate of Tarsus, Adana and Alexandretta (Hatay). Archimandrite Paul Orduluoglu was elected as Patriarchal Vicar Bishop for the pastoral care of the new diocese.

According to ORTHODOXIANEWSAGENCY.GR, this historic decision was made during a meeting of the Holy Synod that concluded on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Balamand, Lebanon. The sessions were presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East.

The establishment of the diocese was in response to the requests of the faithful from the parishes of Alexandretta (Hatay) and Mersin, and was motivated by the concern for the best possible pastoral care. Territorially, the diocese will cover the three provinces of Adana, Mersin and Alexandretta (Hatay), with the exception of the city of Antioch, which retains its status as the historic See of the Patriarchate of Antioch. The decision was made with the full agreement of Patriarch John X, Metropolitan Athanasius of Laodicea and Metropolitan Ephrem of Haleb, Veria and Alexandretta.

Pastoral responsibility for the new diocese will be assumed by a bishop appointed by the Patriarch. The Holy Synod elected Archimandrite Paul Orduluoglu to this position. In connection with the creation of the new structure, the former Aleppo Metropolis was renamed «Holy Metropolis of Aleppo (Veria) and its environs.»

During the sessions, the Synod also reviewed reports on the pastoral activities of the dioceses, reaffirmed the Church’s mission to serve according to the word of God, and approved the establishment of a commission to study amendments to the personal data law. The hierarchs concluded their work with joint prayers, confirming unity with the Primate of the Antiochian Church.

Recall, earlier we reported that the head of the Church of Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew called for friendship between Greece and Turkey for the sake of peace in the Mediterranean region. Bartholomew called Greeks and Turks «friendly nations,» noting the efforts of the Turkish and Greek governments in this direction. The head of the Phanar believes that both sides will benefit from such friendship.