Chaldean Catholic Archeparchy of Ahvaz explained

The Chaldean Catholic Archeparchy of Ahvaz (or Ahwaz)^[1] (informally called Ahvaz of the Chaldeans) is a non-Metropolitan archeparchy (Eastern Catholic archdiocese) of the particular Chaldean Catholic Church sui iuris (Syro-Oriental Rite in Syriac language) in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran.

Its cathedral archiepiscopal see is Surp Mesrob Church, in Ahvaz.

History

It was established on 3 January 1966, on territory split off from the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Sehna (now Teheran).

Thomas Michel Bidawid (1966.01.06 – 1970.08.24), later Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans (1970.08.24 – death 1971.03.29) & Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad of the Chaldeans (Iraq) (1970.08.24 – 1971.03.29)
Samuel Chauriz, O.S.H. (1972.01.18 – 1974.05.01), later Metropolitan Archbishop of Urmyā of the Chaldeans (Iran) (1974.05.01 – death 1981.06.14) and Eparch of Salmas of the Chaldeans (Iran) (1974.05.01 – 1981.06.14)
Hanna Zora (1974.05.01 – 2011.06.10), later first Archbishop-Bishop of newly established Mar Addai of Toronto of the Chaldeans (Canada) (2011.06.10 – retired 2014.05.03)
Patriarchal Administrator Ramzi Garmou (2013? – ...), while Apostolic Visitor in Europe of the Chaldeans (2013.07.20 – ...), President of Iranian Episcopal Conference (2015 – ...); previously Coadjutor Archeparchof Tehran of the Chaldeans (Iran) (1995.05.05 – 1999.02.07), succeeded as Metropolitan Archbishop of Tehran of the Chaldeans (1999.02.07 – ...), also President of Iranian Episcopal Conference (2007 – 2011.11)