ERZERUM

ERZERUM. — A city formerly called Karin and Theodosiopolis by THEODOSIUS II, who fortified it as part of the eastern frontier defenses of the Empire. E. is divided into three parts: the citadel, the city proper, and the suburbs. History records the bishop ASTUAZATUR (Adeodatus) of E. at the Synod of Hronika (1779); then SARKIS (Sergius) in the 13th century; SIMONE in the 14th century, and others. In 1856 a Catholic episcopal see was established in E., under the jurisdiction of the See of Constantinople, along with five other cities. From the 6th to the 18th century, it was repeatedly subjected to invasions, destruction, and pillage by Persians, Arabs, and Turks. Today E. is one of the principal cities of eastern Turkey. It has been repeatedly devastated by violent earthquakes.