On the pilgrimage route to Jerusalem, Aleppo or Peria initially served as a station for Armenian pilgrims. Over time, it evolved into a vibrant national ecclesiastical center before eventually becoming a diocese.

In Aleppo, a pilgrims’ station was built in 1624, adjacent to St. Hagop Monastery, which belonged to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. However, the national ecclesiastical organization of the Armenian community in Aleppo and the city’s significant geographical and commercial position created an opportunity for Armenians from Cilicia to establish a connection with Aleppo. As a result, during the first half of the 14th century, Aleppo became a prosperous Armenian center.

The first mention of the small Armenian community in Aleppo dates back to 1355, found in a memorial written by a churchman named Hovhannes in Aleppo. It is believed that he served as the spiritual advisor and pastor of the community.

It is believed that, like any other Christian community in Aleppo, the Armenian community had its prelate in the 1350s, although no records from that time mention any names. This assumption was confirmed in 1438 when Archbishop Hovagim was mentioned as the head of the Diocese of Aleppo.

Before that, the historical Church of the Sourp Asdvadzadzin (Virgin Mary) in Aleppo was mentioned in 1429, along with the Church of the Karasnits Mangants (Forty Martyrs) in the same area, in 1476.

In 1499-1500, with the benevolence of Rayyes Baron Yessai, one of the notables of the community, a ‘royal gate’—an equivalence of prelacy—was built inside the perimeters of the Karasnits Mangants church. The first description of this structure was found in 1616 by Simeon Lehatsi.

In the last quarter of the 16th century, the prelacy expanded and served in many capacities, notably as a temporary residence for the Catholicos of Sis. Around this time, the famous Schoolhouse of Aleppo (7th-8th centuries), a center for arts and sciences, flourished. It’s worth noting that the diocese experienced its glory days in the 17th century, with Armenians from Jugha (currently occupied by Azerbaijan and renamed Julfa) playing a remarkable role.

In the second half of the 19th century, it was decided to organize the operations of the Diocesan Executive Council in accordance with the provisions of the Armenian National Constitution. For the first time in 1875, during the term of Prelate V. Rev. Fr. Hagop Aslanian (1872-1876), a National Representatives Assembly was formed. This assembly, in turn, elected the Religious and Lay Councils.

The city of Aleppo served as the seat of the Armenian Diocese of Peria from its inception. The administrative divisions within the region underwent several changes, primarily influenced by the distribution of Armenians in Syria. These changes were particularly significant due to the Genocide and notably in 1939, following the annexation of the Alexandretta Sanjak to Turkey.

At the beginning of the 20^th century, Aleppo, Alexandretta, Peylan, and Kilis were part of the Province of Aleppo or the Armenian Diocese of Peria. Alexandretta, Peylan, and Kilis are within the borders of present-day Turkey. Kesab was part of the Province of Antioch, Latakia was part of the Province of Beirut. In 1914, 28 towns and villages were under the jurisdiction of the Diocese, and the population was estimated at 8,500 Armenians. In 1919-1920, the number of the diocesan population has reached 70,000.

In 1932, by the decision of the second Episcopal Conference of the Holy See of Cilicia, the Armenian Diocese of Peria expanded and the whole of northern Syria and the Euphrates River valley came under its jurisdiction.

In 1942, the Vicarage of Jezireh was established.

At present, the Armenian Diocese of Peria includes the following cities: Aleppo (seat), Vicarage of Jezireh (with Kamishli, Derik (Melkye), Ras el Ain, Hassitche), Der Zor, Rakka, Tel Abiad, Yacoubieh, Tartus, Banias, Latakia, Kesab, Ghenemieh and Aramo.