An·ti·och /ˈæntiˌɑk/
  安提阿
  Antioch
       n : a town in southern Turkey; ancient commercial center and
           capital of Syria; an early center of Christianity [syn: Antakya,
            Antakiya]
  Antioch
     (1.) In Syria, on the river Orontes, about 16 miles from the
     Mediterranean, and some 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It was the
     metropolis of Syria, and afterwards became the capital of the
     Roman province in Asia. It ranked third, after Rome and
     Alexandria, in point of importance, of the cities of the Roman
     empire. It was called the "first city of the East." Christianity
     was early introduced into it (Acts 11:19, 21, 24), and the name
     "Christian" was first applied here to its professors (Acts
     11:26). It is intimately connected with the early history of the
     gospel (Acts 6:5; 11:19, 27, 28, 30; 12:25; 15:22-35; Gal. 2:11,
     12). It was the great central point whence missionaries to the
     Gentiles were sent forth. It was the birth-place of the famous
     Christian father Chrysostom, who died A.D. 407. It bears the
     modern name of Antakia, and is now a miserable, decaying Turkish
     town. Like Philippi, it was raised to the rank of a Roman
     colony. Such colonies were ruled by "praetors" (R.V. marg., Acts
     16:20, 21).
       (2.) In the extreme north of Pisidia; was visited by Paul and
     Barnabas on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:14). Here they
     found a synagogue and many proselytes. They met with great
     success in preaching the gospel, but the Jews stirred up a
     violent opposition against them, and they were obliged to leave
     the place. On his return, Paul again visited Antioch for the
     purpose of confirming the disciples (Acts 14:21). It has been
     identified with the modern Yalobatch, lying to the east of
     Ephesus.