Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Latakia (in Latin: Archeparchy Laodicena Graecorum Melkitarum) is an eparchy of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church immediately subject to the Holy See. In 2009 there were 14,500 baptized. It is currently governed by archeparch Georges Khawam.
Territory and statistics
The archeparchy includes the Syrian governorates of Latakia and Tartus on the coast of the Mediterranean. Its archeparchial seat is the city of Latakia (Laodiceia formerly), where is located the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation.
The territory is divided into 18 parishes and had 14,500 Catholics in 2013.
History
The archeparchy was erected on April 28, 1961 with the Papal bull Qui Dei consilio[1] of Pope John XXIII, and its territory was taken from Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Tripoli in Lebanon. With this act, the pope confirmed the decision of the Melkite Synod of restoring an old episcopal see, until 1961 only titular one.