In 1031 Edessa was given up to the Greeks by its Arab governor. These events are known to us chiefly through the Armenian historian Matthew, who had been born at Edessa. Orfa is to-day the chief town of a sanjak in the vilayet of Aleppo, and has a trade in cotton stuffs, leather, and jewellery. Ruins of its walls and of an Arab castle are yet visible. One of its curiosities is the mosque of Abraham, this patriarch according to a Mussulman legend having been slain at Orfa.
Franciscan nuns conduct a school for girls.
This mission depends on the Apostolic mission of Mardin. Remy Lafort, Censor Imprimatur.