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Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922) established the Congregation for Oriental Churches in a motu proprio (initiated and issued by the pope of his own accord and apart from the advice of others) 1 May 1917. The purpose was to assist development of these churches, protect their rights, and maintain their heritage of Oriental Christian traditions alongside Latin Rite traditions. 
The Congregation has authority over Eastern Rite churches in the following 14 geographical areas: Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula, Eritrea and Northern Ethiopia, Southern Albania and Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Turkey. It is headed by a Cardinal Prefect and a Secretary, with 27 cardinals, 1 archbishop, and 4 bishops appointed by the pope for a five-year term. A College of approximately 50 Consultors assist the Congregation on important matters. There are also special commissions on liturgy, history of the Eastern Rite churches, and formation of clergy and religious. 
The centenary of the congregation was commemorated by a miniature sheet with a single €2,55 stamp. The design includes the middle and upper parts of the wall of the apse in the Congregation's Byzantine Rite chapel, painted 1940 - 1943 by Dutch Benedictine monk Jérôme Leussink. The stamp depicts "the communion of the Apostles," with St. Peter on the left and St. Paul on the right. The Greek inscription is translated, "this is my body...this is my blood." Above the scene, the Mother of God is depicted in prayer.

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