Denominational Profile

History

The Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch traces its origin to the Patriarchate established in Antioch by St. Peter the apostle. The first Syrian Orthodox faithful came to North America during the late 1800s, and by 1907 the first Syrian Orthodox priest was ordained. The Archdiocese was officially established in 1957.

Membership Data

Year	Clergy	Churches	Members
1959	-	23	50,000
1960	8	29	50,000
1961	8	5	50,000
1962	50	7	50,000
1963	77	7	25,000
1969	32	7	30,000
1971	10	8	35,000
1972	14	10	50,000
1977	14	10	50,000
1978	18	13	30,000
1980	18	13	30,000
1982	18	13	30,000
1983	18	13	30,000
1984	23	18	30,000
1985	25	22	30,000
1986	25	22	30,000
1987	25	28	30,000
1988	25	28	30,000
1992	18	16	33,000
1993	20	17	32,500
1994	20	17	32,500
1995	20	17	32,500
1997	20	21	32,500
1999	24	22	32,500
2002	25	25	32,500
2003	29	31	32,500
2004	29	31	32,500
2005	125	31	32,500

Source

Data were taken from the National Council of Churches' Historic Archive CD and recent editions of the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. Denomination descriptions provided by Dr. J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion (ISAR). [More information on data sources]