Syriac Orthodox Christians have welcomed the Turkish government's return of 55 title deeds, representing nearly half of their ancient church properties in southeast Turkey, which had been confiscated by the state in recent years. Fifty of the official property deeds were delivered to the Syriacs' 4th century Mor Gabriel Monastery near Midyat, in Mardin province, on 22 May. The disputed documents were received in person by Archbishop Timotheos Samuel Aktas, Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Tur Abdin, and Kuryakos Erg