This book, originally written in the Aramaic language was translated in the spring of 1964 by His Holiness, Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East. This work was little known since the original printed copies were mostly destroyed. This reproduction represents no changes to the original translation with the exception of spelling corrections and standardizing the protocol from English to American diction. His Holiness Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch was the Supreme Head of the Church of the East, its Universal Pastor from 1920 until his assassination in 1975. Born in southern Turkey, His Holiness was raised with care, having received theological and liturgical training in the Middle East and in England at St. Augustines College and later Cambridge University. He worked tirelessly fighting for the Church and his Assyrian people. Often in danger of his life, he met with foreign diplomats and heads of states appealing to the League of Nations and later, the United Nations all the while contacting world leaders and discussing with them the Assyrian Questions. In later years, he was received throughout the Middle East by Islamic Heads of state in a most respectful and amiable of circumstances which speaks to his worldly sophistication and influence as a true leader. His Holiness was a profound scholar, an exemplary writer, a charismatic speaker and was a recognized subject matter expert in Ecclesiastical History and an authority the on History of Christianity in the Middle East and Far East. An innovative leader of the Church and Assyrian people, well schooled in both the ecclesiastical aspects of his vocation, as well as geo-political issues. Attuned to the needs of his flock and nation he mindfully navigated the tenuous landscape with uncompromising ethics, integrity and superior leadership, which were the hallmarks of his character and a truly remarkable Patriarch. His agility in managing both the secular and temporal affairs bespoke his magnificent stewardship of the Assyrian people and the Church of the East.
"This book is published in conjunction with the exhibition, Christianity in Asia: sacred art and visual splendour, presented at the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, from 27 May to 11 September 2016"--Title page verso.
Mykytiuk (library science, Purdue U.) has developed an identification system to compare and verify names in the Hebrew Bible with those in Northwest Semitic inscriptions. Here, he describes that system in detail, showing the criteria he uses to establish the level of certainty of identification. Next he shows how he has applied this system in the c
Defining Christ describes the theological developments of the Church of the East in the Persian Empire in the seventh century, when Arab groupings were seizing power. This Church defined and emphasized the difference between the divine and human nature of Christ in such a way that it had already come in strong conflict with other Christian denominations. Now, it also had to deal with new rulers who recognized Christ as a unique human being, but rejected the belief in his divinity. The book investigates to what extent the leaders of this Church adapted their statements concerning Christ to the rapidly changing circumstances and views. Most attention is thereby given to the 106 letters of Isho'yahb III, written between about 625 and 659. These letters shed an interesting light on this period and for a better understanding they are set in the context of wider theological and political developments.