EMESA. – A city of Syria, later called Homs, the birthplace of Alexander Severus and Elagabalus. Christianity must have penetrated there from apostolic times. A bishop of E., Silvanus, is mentioned as a martyr under Diocletian. In the 4th century, Eusebius, bishop of E., gained a certain notoriety among the Semi-Arians. Today E. (Homs), where Christians make up a third of the population, is the seat of two Eastern dioceses.
1. E. of the Melkites. – Since 1849 a Catholic bishop has resided there again. Faithful: 9,000; priests: 10; parishes: 12; schools: 16.
2. E. of the Syrians. – The see (separated from the Greek one) was probably founded in the 6th century. The series of Syriac-Catholic bishops begins in 1678. Faithful: 3,253; diocesan priests: 14; parishes: 12; schools and institutes: 15; Catholic circles: 2; confraternities: 3.