Orthodox Christianity in Turkey
Encyclopedia
Orthodox Christianity
is a tiny minority in Turkey
, comprising far less than one tenth of one percent of the entire population. The provinces of Istanbul
and Hatay
, which includes Antakya
, are the main centres of Turkish Christianity, with comparatively dense Christian populations, though they are very small minorities. The main variant of Christianity present in Turkey is the Eastern Orthodox branch, focused mainly in the Greek Orthodox Church, however due to their slightly larger numbers the Syriac Orthodox Church
is the most prominent Orthodox Church in the country.
There has been a recent trend of exodus for many Turkish Christians. For example, a significant proportion of the Syriac Orthodox church from Tur Abdin
(an area mainly in Mardin province
), including the bishop Hanna Aydın (Warburg, Germany
), have expatriated from Turkey and moved to more Christian countries. Indeed, İzmir
(formerly Grecian Smyrna) used to have a Greek Orthodox majority up until the 20th century, but the Christian population in the area today is now insignificant. Despite this decline, however, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the Greek Orthodox leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church
has its seat in Istanbul
, and an Autocephalous Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate exists in Istanbul as well. Furthermore, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch are based in Damascus
, Syria
. This is probably due to the history Christianity has in the region, as Constantinople
used to be the religious centre of Eastern Orthodox during the middle ages, and the famous Apostle Paul of Tarsus
was from Turkey and performed his first of three missions trips recorded in Acts exclusively in that area.
Orthodox Christianity
The term Orthodox Christianity may refer to:* the Eastern Orthodox Church and its various geographical subdivisions...
is a tiny minority in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, comprising far less than one tenth of one percent of the entire population. The provinces of Istanbul
Istanbul Province
Istanbul Province is a province located in north-west Turkey. It has an area of 5,196 km² and a population of 13,255,685. The population was 10,018,735 in 2000. It is surrounded by the provinces of Tekirdağ to the west, Kocaeli to the east, the Black Sea to the northern part and the Sea of...
and Hatay
Hatay Province
Hatay Province is a province in southern Turkey, on the Mediterranean coast. It is bordered by Syria to the south and east and the Turkish provinces of Adana and Osmaniye to the north. The province is part of Çukurova, a geographical, economical and cultural region that covers the provinces of...
, which includes Antakya
Antakya
Antakya is the seat of the Hatay Province in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria. The mayor is Lütfü Savaş.Known as Antioch in ancient times, the city has historical significance for Christianity, as it was the place where the followers of Jesus Christ were called Christians for the first...
, are the main centres of Turkish Christianity, with comparatively dense Christian populations, though they are very small minorities. The main variant of Christianity present in Turkey is the Eastern Orthodox branch, focused mainly in the Greek Orthodox Church, however due to their slightly larger numbers the Syriac Orthodox Church
Syriac Orthodox Church
The Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
is the most prominent Orthodox Church in the country.
There has been a recent trend of exodus for many Turkish Christians. For example, a significant proportion of the Syriac Orthodox church from Tur Abdin
Tur Abdin
Tur Abdin is a hilly region of south east Turkey incorporating the eastern half of Mardin Province, and Şırnak Province west of the Tigris, on the border with Syria. The name 'Tur Abdin' is from the Syriac language meaning 'mountain of the servants '. Tur Abdin is of great importance to Syriac...
(an area mainly in Mardin province
Mardin Province
Mardin Province is a province of Turkey with a population of 744,606. The population was 835,173 in 2000. The capital of the Mardin Province is Mardin...
), including the bishop Hanna Aydın (Warburg, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
), have expatriated from Turkey and moved to more Christian countries. Indeed, İzmir
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
(formerly Grecian Smyrna) used to have a Greek Orthodox majority up until the 20th century, but the Christian population in the area today is now insignificant. Despite this decline, however, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the Greek Orthodox leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
has its seat in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, and an Autocephalous Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate exists in Istanbul as well. Furthermore, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch are based in Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. This is probably due to the history Christianity has in the region, as Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
used to be the religious centre of Eastern Orthodox during the middle ages, and the famous Apostle Paul of Tarsus
Paul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
was from Turkey and performed his first of three missions trips recorded in Acts exclusively in that area.
See also
- Religious minorities in Turkey
- Christianity in TurkeyChristianity in TurkeyChristianity has a long history in Anatolia , which is the birth place of numerous Christian Apostles and Saints, such as Apostle Paul of Tarsus, Timothy, St. Nicholas of Myra, St...
- Roman Catholicism in TurkeyRoman Catholicism in TurkeyThe Roman Catholic Church in Turkey is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. There are around 35,000 Catholics, constituting 0.05% of the population. The faithful follow the Latin, Byzantine, Armenian and Chaldean Rite...
- Protestantism in TurkeyProtestantism in TurkeyProtestants and also Anglicans comprise far less than one tenth of one percent of the population of Turkey.The constitution of Turkey recognizes freedom of religion for individuals...