The Church traces its origins to the Christian community founded in Antioch by people of the period known by a variety of names, including “Followers of the Way,” and later recognized by the Apostle St. Peter. St. Paul (see Early centers of Christianity) was one of its leading members. It later became one of the five major patriarchates or Pentarchy of the state church of the Roman Empire.
According to Acts 11:19-26, the Christian community at Antioch began when Christians who were scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution fled to Antioch. They were joined by Christians from Cyprus and Cyrene who migrated to Antioch. It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first referred to as Christians.
– Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Antioch
