Since 1946 , Melkite Parish in Istanbul ( Constantinople ) was administrated by priest Maximos Mardelli ( born 1913 – died 2000 ) who was appointed Patriarchal Vicar ( exarch ) in Istanbul , as representative of Melkite Patriarch Maximos IV Sayegh of Antioch . Exarch Maximos was elevated to the honour of Archimandrite in 1953 for his successful church administration . During Anti-Greek riots in 1955 ( Istanbul pogrom ) , the Melkite Church building in Istanbul was destroyed . Because Archimandrite Maximos was not a Turkish citizen , he had to leave Istanbul and went to the United States
Istanbul pogrom
Istanbul pogrom
Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Istanbul