Seerth

Seerth, a Chaldean see, appears to have succeeded the See of Arzon in the same province, several of the Nestorian bishops of which in the fifth and sixth centuries are known (Chabot, "Synodicon orientale". 666), as are also a large number of Jacobite bishops (Revue de l'Orient Chrétien, VI, 192). The diocese began to have Catholic titulars in the time of Julius III. Seerth is now the chief town of a sandjak in the vilayet of Bitlis, containing 15,000 inhabitants. It has fine orchards and vineyards, is an industrial centre containing much gypsum, and manufacturing arms and printed calico. The Dominicans have a mission there; the Catholic bishop, Mgr Addai Scher, is well known by his editions of Syriac texts. American Protestants have schools supported by their missionary societies. The diocese contains 3000 faithful, 20 priests, 24 churches or chapels, 43 stations, and 3 primary schools.

Revue de l'Orient Chrétien, I, 477; CUINET, La Turque d' Asie, II 596-605; Missiones catholicæ (Rome, 1907, 813

S. VAILHÉ