Syrian Catholicism : 2000 Years of succession from Apostle St Thomas

[jerry_joseph]

**Holy tradition of Syrian catholicism
**
1 Thoma Shlikha, (Saint Thomas) (c. 33-c. 77)[7]
Tulmay (St. Bartholomew the Apostle) (c. 33 - ?)[7]
Mar Addai, (St. Thaddeus)
2 Aggai (c.66 - c.87)
3 Mari (c. 87-c. 120)
4 Abris (121–137)
5 Abraham (159–171)
6 Yaʿqob (c.190)
7 Ahadabui (204–220)
8 Shahlufa (220–224)
vacant (224-c.280)
Around 280, visiting bishops consecrated Papa bar Aggai as Bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, thereby establishing the succession.[8] With him, heads of the church took the title Catholicos
9 Papa bar Aggai (c.280–317)
vacant (317–329)
10 Shemʿon bar Sabbaʿe (329–341)
11 Shahdost (341–343)
12 Barbaʿshmin (343–346)
vacant (c. 346-c. 363)
13 Tomarsa (363–371)
vacant (c. 371-c. 377)
14 Qayyoma (377–399)
15 Isaac (399–410)
Isaac was recognised as ‘Grand Metropolitan’ and Primate of the Church of the East at the Synod of Seleucia-Ctesiphon in 410. The acts of this Synod were later edited by the Patriarch Joseph (552–567) to grant him the title of Catholicos as well. This title for Patriarch Isaac in fact only came into use towards the end of the fifth century.
16 Ahha (410–414)
17 Yahballaha I (415–420)
18 Maʿna (420)
19 Farbokht (421)
20 Dadishoʿ (421–456)
In 424, under Mar Dadisho I, the Church of the East declared itself independent of all other churches; thereafter, its Catholicoi began to use the additional title of Patriarch.[8]
21 Babowai (457–484)
22 Acacius (485–496)
23 Babai (497–503)
24 Shila (503–523)
25 Elishaʿ (524–537)
Narsai intrusus (524–537)
26 Paul (539)
27 Aba I (540–552)
28 Joseph (552–567)
29 Ezekiel (567–581)
30 Ishoʿyahb I (582–595)
31 Sabrishoʿ I (596–604)
32 Gregory (605–609)
vacant (609–628)
Babai the Great (coadjutor) 609–628; together with Aba (coadjutor) 609-628
33 Ishoʿyahb II (628–645)
34 Maremmeh (646–649)
35 Ishoʿyahb III (649–659)
36 Giwargis I (661-680)
37 Yohannan I (680–683)
vacant (683–685)
38 Hnanishoʿ I (686–698)
Yohannan the Leper intrusus (691–693)
vacant (698–714)
39 Sliba-zkha (714–728)
vacant (728–731)
40 Pethion (731–740)
41 Aba II (741–751)
42 Surin (753)
43 Yaʿqob II (753–773)
44 Hnanishoʿ II (773–780) - The seat transferred from Seleucia-Ctesiphon to Baghdad, the recently-established capital of the ʿAbbasid caliphs, in 775[9]
45 Timothy I (780–823)
46 Ishoʿ Bar Nun (823–828)
47 Giwargis II (828–831)
48 Sabrishoʿ II (831–835)
49 Abraham II (837–850)
vacant (850-853)
50 Theodosius (853–858)
vacant (858–860)
51 Sargis (860–872)
vacant (872–877)
52 Israel of Kashkar intrusus (877)
53 Enosh (877–884)
54 Yohannan II bar Narsai (884–891)
55 Yohannan III (893–899)
56 Yohannan IV Bar Abgar (900–905)
57 Abraham III (906–937)
58 Emmanuel I (937–960)
59 Israel (961)
60 ʿAbdishoʿ I (963–986)
61 Mari (987–999)
62 Yohannan V (1000–1011)
63 Yohannan VI bar Nazuk (1012–1016)
vacant (1016-1020)
64 Ishoʿyahb IV bar Ezekiel (1020–1025)
vacant (1025-1028)
65 Eliya I (1028–1049)
66 Yohannan VII bar Targal (1049–1057)
vacant (1057-1064)
67 Sabrishoʿ III (1064–1072)
68 ʿAbdishoʿ II ibn al-ʿArid (1074–1090)
69 Makkikha I (1092–1110)
70 Eliya II Bar Moqli (1111–1132)
71 Bar Sawma (1134–1136)
vacant (1136–1139)
72 ʿAbdishoʿ III Bar Moqli (1139–1148)
73 Ishoʿyahb V (1149–1176)
74 Eliya III (1176–1190)
75 Yahballaha II (1190–1222)
76 Sabrishoʿ IV Bar Qayyoma (1222–1224)
77 Sabrishoʿ V ibn al-Masihi (1226–1256)
78 Makkikha II (1257–1265)
79 Denha I (1265–1281)
80 Yahballaha III (1281–1317) - The Patriarchal Seat transferred to Maragha
81 Timothy II (1318–c.1332)
vacant (c.1332-c.1336)
82 Denha II (1336/7–1381/2)
83 Shemʿon II (c.1365-c.1392) (dates uncertain)
83b Shemʿon III (c.1403-c.1407) (existence uncertain)
84 Eliya IV (c.1437)
85 Shemʿon IV Basidi (1437-1493, ob.1497)
86 Shemʿon V (1497–1501)
87 Eliya V (1502–1503)
88 Shemʿon VI (1504–1538)
89 Shemʿon VII Ishoʿyahb (1539–1558)

 

[jerry_joseph]

**List of Patriarchs of the Church of the East from 1552 to 1681
**
Main article: Schism of 1552
By the Schism of 1552 divided the Church of the East was divided into two factions, of which one entered into communion with the Catholic Church and the other remained independent.
**Eliya Line, with residence in Alqosh:
**90 Eliya VII (1558-1591)
91 Eliya VIII (1591-1617)[10] - In 1610, Eliya VIII entered communion with the Catholic Church. His successor Eliya IX quickly repudiated the union.
92 Eliya IX Shemʿon (1617-1660)
93 Eliya X Yohannan Marogin (1660-1700)

**Shemʿon Line, with residence in Amid, Siirt, Urmia, Salmas. This line until 1600 was in communion with the Catholic Church:
**
90 Shemʿon Sulaqa (1553–1555)
91 Abdisho IV Maron (1555–1570)
92 Shemʿon VIII Yahballaha (1570–1580)[10]
93 Shemʿon IX Dinkha (1580–1600)[10]
In 1600 the Shemʿon Line restored the hereditary succession, moved to Qochanis and broke the communion with the Catholic Church
94 Shemʿon X Eliyah (1600–1638)
95 Shemʿon XI Eshuyow (1638–1656)
96 Shemʿon XII Yoalaha (1656–1662)
97 Shemʿon XIII Dinkha (1662–1700)

**List of Patriarchs of the Church of the East from 1681 to 1830
**
In 1681 a separate Patriarchate in communion with the Catholic Church was erected in Amid, splitting from the Eliya Line. In 1692 Shemʿon XIII Dinkha (based in Qochanis) of the Shimun line, broke formally communion with Rome.
Eliya Line, with residence in Alqosh:
93 Eliya X Yohannan Marogin (1660-1700)[10]
94 Eliya XI Marogin (1700-1722)[10]
95 Eliya XII Denha (1722-1778)[10]
at the death of Eliya XII the Eliya Line split between:
96 Eliya XIII Ishoʿyahb (1778-1804)
96 Yohannan VIII Hormizd (1778-1838)
Shemʿon Line, with residence in Qochanis:
97 Shemʿon XIII Dinkha (1662–1700)
98 Shemʿon XIV Shlemon (1700-1740)
99 Shemʿon XV Mikhaʿil Mukhtas (1740-1780)
100 Shemʿon XVI Yohannan (1780-1820)
101 Shemʿon XVII Abraham (1820-1861)
**Josephite Line, with residence in Amid, in full Communion with the Catholic Church:
**95 Joseph I (1681–1696)
96 Joseph II Sliba Maruf (1696–1713)
97 Joseph III Timothy Maroge (1713–1757)
98 Joseph IV Lazare Hindi (1757–1780)
99 Joseph V Augustine Hindi (1780–1827)
With the reign of Patriarch Yohannan Hormizd, the Eliya Line in Alqosh entered in Communion with Rome, merging with the Catholic “Josephite” Amid line and thus forming the modern Chaldean Church. In 1830, Yohannan Hormizd was recognised by the Vatican as patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and moved the see in Mosul. This event marked the birth of the modern Chaldean Catholic Church. For the following Chaldean Patriarchs see the below.
The Shemʿon Line remained the only line not communion with the Catholic Church, and from the 19th-century it was known as Assyrian Church of the East.

**List of Patriarchs of the Chaldean Catholic Church since 1830
**
Non-hereditary Eliya Line
96 Yohannan VIII Hormizd (1830–1838) — moved the See in Mosul
97 Nicholas I Zaya (1839–1846)
98 Joseph VI Audo (1847–1878)
99 Eliya Abulyonan (1878–1894)
100 Audishu V Khayyath (1894–1899) (Georges Ebed-Iesu)
101 Yousef VI Emmanuel II Thomas (1900–1946)
102 Yousef VII Ghanima (1946–1958) — moved the See in Baghdad
103 Paul II Cheikho (1958–1989)
104 Raphael I Bidawid (1989–2003)
Locum Tenens Shlemon Warduni (2003)
105 Emmanuel III Delly (2003–Present)
**List of Patriarchs of the Assyrian Church of the East since 1830
**
Shemʿon Line, with residence in Qochanis till 1918
101 Shemʿon XVII Abraham (1820-1861)[10]
102 Shemʿon XVIII Rubil (1861-1903)[10]
103 Shemʿon XIX Benjamin (1903-1918)
104 Shemʿon XX Paul (1918-1920)
Locum Tenens
Yosip Khnanisho (coadjutor) (1918-1920)
Abimalek Timotheus (coadjutor) (1920)
105 Shemʿon XXI Eshai (1920-1975 assassinated) - During his reign, Patriarchate was headquartered in exile in Chicago, Illinois, USA starting 1940. He was also the last of the hereditary Shemʿon line
Non-hereditary patriarchy
106 Dinkha IV (1976-Present)
[edit]List of Patriarchs of the Ancient Church of the East

Main article: Ancient Church of the East
In 1964, during the reign of Shemʿon XXI Eshai (also known as Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII), a schism appeared in the Assyrian Church of the East causing the establishment of a separate Ancient Church of the East with its center in Baghdad. This schism occurred because of the changing of the church calendar from the traditional Julian calendar to the Gregorian one. Also the result was because of some unsettled church and Assyrian political issues. In 1968 communities in Iraq, Syria and India elected a rival Patriarch centered in Baghdad, namely the suspended Metropolitan of India Mar Thoma Darmo. He in turn consecrated clergy and they in turn consecrated him Patriarch. Mar Eshai Shimun continued as the official head of the Church of the East with his see in San Francisco.
Vacant (1964–1967) - first period of the schism
106 Thoma Darmo (1968–1969)
Locum Tenens: Mar Addai II (1969–1972)
107 Mar Addai II (1972-present)

 

[jerry_joseph]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Patriarchs_of_the_Church_of_the_East

chaldeansonline.org/church.html

chaldeansonline.org/bishops.html

 

[ProdglArchitect]

Erm… your point?

Christ didn’t say “You are Thomas, on on this Rock I will be my Church.” The name he used was specifically Peter… so all of this seems kind of mute, doesn’t it?

Still an interesting list.

 

[rscanl01]

This is really awesome and amazing.

 

[Wandile]

This list is very interesting. Is this Church the same as the Syrio-Malabar Church which is located in India?

 

[Iron_Donkey]

This is indeed awesome. Was there anything you were saying by this, or just pointing out that this an awesome thing?

 

[mardukm]

Erm… your point?

Christ didn’t say “You are Thomas, on on this Rock I will be my Church.” The name he used was specifically Peter… so all of this seems kind of mute, doesn’t it?

What is the point of bringing this up?

The list demonstrates the apostolic succession of the Churches of the East and how it relates to the Churches in communion with Rome. That’s all I see.

Blessings,
Marduk

P.S. Thank you brother Jerry_Joseph for the list.

 

[jerry_joseph]

All comes under pope of rome… We are in union with Roman Catholic Church. Both are different traditions.

As Apostle St Thomas experienced ressurected jesus ,theologies of churches which holds tradition from St Thomas is mainly focus on Ressurected Jesus. Latin rite is mainly focused on crucified Jesus ( what Apostle Peter experienced).

"Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands; stretch out your hand and put it into my side. Resist no longer and be a believer.Thomas then said, "You are my Lord and my God.Jesus replied, “You believe because you see me, don’t you? Happy are those who have not seen and believe.” John 20:27-30…

Peter was a coward. He denied Christ three times before his crucifixion. After death of christ , once he decided to go back to do his old job (fishing). But Apostle Thomas was a brave man. When other disciples opposed him not to go to Judea, Apostle Thomas was the only disciple bravely told "“Let us also go that we may die with him.” (John: 11:16)

 

[jerry_joseph]

This list is very interesting. Is this Church the same as the Syrio-Malabar Church which is located in India?

Yes. Syro malabar church uses east syriac liturgy… Holds tradition of Apostle St Thomas

 

[jerry_joseph]

http://www.syrianchurch.org/doc/StThomasAp.jpg

 

[jerry_joseph]

 

[tafan]

All comes under pope of rome… We are in union with Roman Catholic Church. Both are different traditions.

As Apostle St Thomas experienced ressurected jesus ,theologies of churches which holds tradition from St Thomas is mainly focus on Ressurected Jesus. Latin rite is mainly focused on crucified Jesus ( what Apostle Peter experienced).

"Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands; stretch out your hand and put it into my side. Resist no longer and be a believer.Thomas then said, "You are my Lord and my God.Jesus replied, “You believe because you see me, don’t you? Happy are those who have not seen and believe.” John 20:27-30…

Peter was a coward. He denied Christ three times before his crucifixion. After death of christ , once he decided to go back to do his old job (fishing). But Apostle Thomas was a brave man. When other disciples opposed him not to go to Judea, Apostle Thomas was the only disciple bravely told "“Let us also go that we may die with him.” (John: 11:16)

I think its great that you are proud of the Apostolic Succession of your church and devoted to St Thomas.
I think it extremely problematic for you to refer so negatively to St Peter. He is the rock that Christ founded His church on. Despite all of his shortcomings, Jesus did not give up on him.
As to you idea that Peter decided to go back to his old job of fishing, an objective reading of scripture shows that Peter likely said this simply to be busy, to take his mind off Christ’s death. It certainly did not concern Christ that Peter had gone fishing.
He was a “coward” once, that was all.
Here is a good book you should read forums.catholic-questions.org/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=9999106
But please, do not talk negativly about any of the apostles. You are insulting the greatest saints (next to Mary), hard to imagine God being pleased with that.

 

[mardukm]

As Apostle St Thomas experienced ressurected jesus ,theologies of churches which holds tradition from St Thomas is mainly focus on Ressurected Jesus. Latin rite is mainly focused on crucified Jesus ( what Apostle Peter experienced).

Among Orientals, the Syrians are popularly regarded as “the worshippers of the Cross.” Just saying.

Peter was a coward. He denied Christ three times before his crucifixion. After death of christ , once he decided to go back to do his old job (fishing). But Apostle Thomas was a brave man. When other disciples opposed him not to go to Judea, Apostle Thomas was the only disciple bravely told "“Let us also go that we may die with him.” (John: 11:16)

I wouldn’t say Peter was a coward. Maybe Simon was a coward. I think it poignant that in the account in Luke, Jesus says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat…” but immediately after Simon says that he was prepared to go to prison and die with Jesus, our Lord refers to him as “Peter.”

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[JerryZ]

All comes under pope of rome… We are in union with Roman Catholic Church. Both are different traditions.

As Apostle St Thomas experienced ressurected jesus ,theologies of churches which holds tradition from St Thomas is mainly focus on Ressurected Jesus. Latin rite is mainly focused on crucified Jesus ( what Apostle Peter experienced).

"Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands; stretch out your hand and put it into my side. Resist no longer and be a believer.Thomas then said, "You are my Lord and my God.Jesus replied, “You believe because you see me, don’t you? Happy are those who have not seen and believe.” John 20:27-30…

Peter was a coward. He denied Christ three times before his crucifixion. After death of christ , once he decided to go back to do his old job (fishing). But Apostle Thomas was a brave man. When other disciples opposed him not to go to Judea, Apostle Thomas was the only disciple bravely told "“Let us also go that we may die with him.” (John: 11:16)

Ohhhh that was very uncalled for all the apostles fled after Jesus was captured. If I have not read the Bible wrong only 1 apostle was at the foot of the cross when our Lord died and it was not Thomas.

They all recognized their failings each and every one of them for all were humans with all that entails.

Please meditate on this no Apostle was higher or lower than any other.

 

[rscanl01]

This is indeed awesome. Was there anything you were saying by this, or just pointing out that this an awesome thing?

Just pointing it out.

 

[mlz]

**List of Patriarchs of the Church of the East from 1552 to 1681
**
Main article: Schism of 1552
By the Schism of 1552 divided the Church of the East was divided into two factions, of which one entered into communion with the Catholic Church and the other remained independent.
**Eliya Line, with residence in Alqosh:
**90 Eliya VII (1558-1591)
91 Eliya VIII (1591-1617)[10] - In 1610, Eliya VIII entered communion with the Catholic Church. His successor Eliya IX quickly repudiated the union.
92 Eliya IX Shemʿon (1617-1660)
93 Eliya X Yohannan Marogin (1660-1700)

**Shemʿon Line, with residence in Amid, Siirt, Urmia, Salmas. This line until 1600 was in communion with the Catholic Church:
**
90 Shemʿon Sulaqa (1553–1555)
91 Abdisho IV Maron (1555–1570)
92 Shemʿon VIII Yahballaha (1570–1580)[10]
93 Shemʿon IX Dinkha (1580–1600)[10]
In 1600 the Shemʿon Line restored the hereditary succession, moved to Qochanis and broke the communion with the Catholic Church
94 Shemʿon X Eliyah (1600–1638)
95 Shemʿon XI Eshuyow (1638–1656)
96 Shemʿon XII Yoalaha (1656–1662)
97 Shemʿon XIII Dinkha (1662–1700)

**List of Patriarchs of the Church of the East from 1681 to 1830
**
In 1681 a separate Patriarchate in communion with the Catholic Church was erected in Amid, splitting from the Eliya Line. In 1692 Shemʿon XIII Dinkha (based in Qochanis) of the Shimun line, broke formally communion with Rome.
Eliya Line, with residence in Alqosh:
93 Eliya X Yohannan Marogin (1660-1700)[10]
94 Eliya XI Marogin (1700-1722)[10]
95 Eliya XII Denha (1722-1778)[10]
at the death of Eliya XII the Eliya Line split between:
96 Eliya XIII Ishoʿyahb (1778-1804)
96 Yohannan VIII Hormizd (1778-1838)
Shemʿon Line, with residence in Qochanis:
97 Shemʿon XIII Dinkha (1662–1700)
98 Shemʿon XIV Shlemon (1700-1740)
99 Shemʿon XV Mikhaʿil Mukhtas (1740-1780)
100 Shemʿon XVI Yohannan (1780-1820)
101 Shemʿon XVII Abraham (1820-1861)
**Josephite Line, with residence in Amid, in full Communion with the Catholic Church:
**95 Joseph I (1681–1696)
96 Joseph II Sliba Maruf (1696–1713)
97 Joseph III Timothy Maroge (1713–1757)
98 Joseph IV Lazare Hindi (1757–1780)
99 Joseph V Augustine Hindi (1780–1827)
With the reign of Patriarch Yohannan Hormizd, the Eliya Line in Alqosh entered in Communion with Rome, merging with the Catholic “Josephite” Amid line and thus forming the modern Chaldean Church. In 1830, Yohannan Hormizd was recognised by the Vatican as patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and moved the see in Mosul. This event marked the birth of the modern Chaldean Catholic Church. For the following Chaldean Patriarchs see the below.
The Shemʿon Line remained the only line not communion with the Catholic Church, and from the 19th-century it was known as Assyrian Church of the East.

**List of Patriarchs of the Chaldean Catholic Church since 1830
**
Non-hereditary Eliya Line
96 Yohannan VIII Hormizd (1830–1838) — moved the See in Mosul
97 Nicholas I Zaya (1839–1846)
98 Joseph VI Audo (1847–1878)
99 Eliya Abulyonan (1878–1894)
100 Audishu V Khayyath (1894–1899) (Georges Ebed-Iesu)
101 Yousef VI Emmanuel II Thomas (1900–1946)
102 Yousef VII Ghanima (1946–1958) — moved the See in Baghdad
103 Paul II Cheikho (1958–1989)
104 Raphael I Bidawid (1989–2003)
Locum Tenens Shlemon Warduni (2003)
105 Emmanuel III Delly (2003–Present)
**List of Patriarchs of the Assyrian Church of the East since 1830
**
Shemʿon Line, with residence in Qochanis till 1918
101 Shemʿon XVII Abraham (1820-1861)[10]
102 Shemʿon XVIII Rubil (1861-1903)[10]
103 Shemʿon XIX Benjamin (1903-1918)
104 Shemʿon XX Paul (1918-1920)
Locum Tenens
Yosip Khnanisho (coadjutor) (1918-1920)
Abimalek Timotheus (coadjutor) (1920)
105 Shemʿon XXI Eshai (1920-1975 assassinated) - During his reign, Patriarchate was headquartered in exile in Chicago, Illinois, USA starting 1940. He was also the last of the hereditary Shemʿon line
Non-hereditary patriarchy
106 Dinkha IV (1976-Present)
[edit]List of Patriarchs of the Ancient Church of the East

Main article: Ancient Church of the East
In 1964, during the reign of Shemʿon XXI Eshai (also known as Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII), a schism appeared in the Assyrian Church of the East causing the establishment of a separate Ancient Church of the East with its center in Baghdad. This schism occurred because of the changing of the church calendar from the traditional Julian calendar to the Gregorian one. Also the result was because of some unsettled church and Assyrian political issues. In 1968 communities in Iraq, Syria and India elected a rival Patriarch centered in Baghdad, namely the suspended Metropolitan of India Mar Thoma Darmo. He in turn consecrated clergy and they in turn consecrated him Patriarch. Mar Eshai Shimun continued as the official head of the Church of the East with his see in San Francisco.
Vacant (1964–1967) - first period of the schism
106 Thoma Darmo (1968–1969)
Locum Tenens: Mar Addai II (1969–1972)
107 Mar Addai II (1972-present)

Blessings to my brothers and sisters and Syria as well as prayers for all you are going through,
mlz

 

[jerry_joseph]

Despite of Apostle Peter’s human weakness, God loved him. That’s why he build his church on that rock (ie. selected him as leader to all)

Apostle Thomas have also human weakness. He was a brave man. But his problem is he will believe in one thing only if he gets evidence. When ressurected Jesus first appeared to his disciples , Thomas was not with them. When other’s told him that they saw Jesus, he didn’t believed. He demanded he needs evidence.

"Thomas, the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.The other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he replied, "Until I have seen in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."Eight days later, the disciples were inside again and Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands; stretch out your hand and put it into my side. Resist no longer and be a believer."Thomas then said, "You are my Lord and my God. Jesus replied, “You believe because you see me, don’t you? Happy are those who have not seen and believe.” John:24-29.

Here Thomas is the best example for the demands of modern atheists/agnostics who requires evidence for believing in God. God is willing to give evidence also , if they are actually willing to seek him from their fullness of heart. Here he will tell to them, You believed because you got evidence.Happy are those who have not seen and believe."

 

[jerry_joseph]

Blessings to my brothers and sisters and Syria as well as prayers for all you are going through,
mlz

I am not from Syria. I am from India. Syrian Catholic means those who follows Syriac liturgies and it does not means that Catholics living in Syria. Same like Roman Catholic means those who follows Latin rite. It does not means that all are living in Rome.

 

[Denho]

I am not from Syria. I am from India. Syrian Catholic means those who follows Syriac liturgies and it does not means that Catholics living in Syria. Same like Roman Catholic means those who follows Latin rite. It does not means that all are living in Rome.

Well… there is a Syriac Catholic Church that is headquartered in Beirut, and they are properly known as Syriac Catholics (The term Syrian Catholic or Syrian Orthodox has been frowned upon for a number of years for that very reason, it causes confusion between the nation Syria and the Soryoyo people, and the language, and the liturgy, etc…) .