Syrian Congregation in the Ottoman State after the Tanzimat

"Syrian Congregation in the Ottoman State After the Tanzimat." The Keywords: Nation System, Syrian, Syrian Kadım Church, Syrians in the Ottoman State. The Ottoman state was a multi cultural state consisting of many ethnic and religious communities. There were lots of ethnic groups in the border of the Ottoman State. The Ottoman State governed these ethnic groups whith a special system called "Millet system". According to which these groups were classified by their religious affiliations not by their ethnic origins. The Syrians who lived in Upper Mezopotamia and around, had their own languages, writings, cultures and beliefs. With the Ottoman sovereignty started at the time of Yavuz Sultan Selim a new page was opened for the Syrians. They formerly carried out their relations with the Ottoman State by the Armenian Patriarchate and later by their own Patriarchates. The Ottoman State appointed the the religious functionaries were selected by the Syrians. The Otoman State didn't intervene with them. The State organized their travelling affairs and honoured them by giving signs. Every kind of religious freedom was provided, building and repairing temples were permitted. The Ottoman State blocked the negative behaviours towards the Syrians and also followed seriously the actions againts the State. The Syrians could protect their institutions and cultures because of such tolerance. VII