Farid Nazha
Encyclopedia
Farid Elias Nazha was an Assyrian Nationalist and a journalist. He was known for his criticism to Syriac Christian Clergy which led to his excommunication
by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Afram I Barsoum
. He is considered one of founders of modern Assyrian/Syriac nationalism.
. In 1911 a number of Syriac Orthodox members of his family converted to Syriac Catholicism which initiated a bitter conflict between the Syriacs of Hama
. Farid's father decided to send his son to Argentina
to prevent him from getting involved in the conflict.
In Augusts 1911 he arived in Buenos Aires
, there he studied Mathematics and Economy. He got married and moved to Santiago del Estero
in March 1920 where he worked there, and after 11 years he went back to Buenos Aires
.
's writing, Nazha established a Syriac cultural club, the "Ephremic Society", in 1934. It included Assyrian/Syriac immigrants in Argentina. A newspaper, "Syriac University" , was published by the society in September of the same year.
The newspaper was initially aimed at the Assyrian/Syriac immigrants in Argentina, but its popularity grew as Assyrian journalists from other parts of the world started contributing to it. Nazha himself had a permanent column in the newspaper and he often attacked the clergy in what he saw as "consecration of separation" of different Syriac Churches. For him nationality was above religion, and archbishops shouldn't have a leading role in the Assyrian/Syriac society. His views about the church worsened as the latter started adopting Arabic in its liturgies. The clash with the clergy reached its peak when the Syriac Orthodox patriarch Ignatius Afram I Barsoum
formally excommunicated him, although his successor Ignatius Ya`qub III retracted this decision in late 1950s.
Farid Nazha continued publishing his newspaper until his death in Spain in 19 October 1970.
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Afram I Barsoum
Ignatius Afram I Barsoum
Ignatius Afram I Barsoum was the 120th Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He wrote, translated and published many works all of which are very scholarly. He wrote books on the tradition, liturgy, music, and history of Syriac Orthodox Church.Patriarch Mor...
. He is considered one of founders of modern Assyrian/Syriac nationalism.
Early life
Farid was born in 10 January 1894 to a family which traces its roots back to Kharput in modern day TurkeyTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. In 1911 a number of Syriac Orthodox members of his family converted to Syriac Catholicism which initiated a bitter conflict between the Syriacs of Hama
Hama
Hama is a city on the banks of the Orontes River in west-central Syria north of Damascus. It is the provincial capital of the Hama Governorate. Hama is the fourth-largest city in Syria—behind Aleppo, Damascus, and Homs—with a population of 696,863...
. Farid's father decided to send his son to Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
to prevent him from getting involved in the conflict.
In Augusts 1911 he arived in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, there he studied Mathematics and Economy. He got married and moved to Santiago del Estero
Santiago del Estero
Santiago del Estero is the capital of Santiago del Estero Province in northern Argentina. It has a population of 244,733 inhabitants, making it the twelfth largest city in the country, with a surface area of 2,116 km². It lies on the Dulce River and on National Route 9, at a distance of...
in March 1920 where he worked there, and after 11 years he went back to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
.
Journalism and activism
Influenced by Naum FaiqNaum Faiq
Naum Elias Yaqub Palakh , better known as Naum Faiq was one of the founding fathers of modern Assyrian nationalism during the early 20th century. He was a teacher and writer throughout his life...
's writing, Nazha established a Syriac cultural club, the "Ephremic Society", in 1934. It included Assyrian/Syriac immigrants in Argentina. A newspaper, "Syriac University" , was published by the society in September of the same year.
The newspaper was initially aimed at the Assyrian/Syriac immigrants in Argentina, but its popularity grew as Assyrian journalists from other parts of the world started contributing to it. Nazha himself had a permanent column in the newspaper and he often attacked the clergy in what he saw as "consecration of separation" of different Syriac Churches. For him nationality was above religion, and archbishops shouldn't have a leading role in the Assyrian/Syriac society. His views about the church worsened as the latter started adopting Arabic in its liturgies. The clash with the clergy reached its peak when the Syriac Orthodox patriarch Ignatius Afram I Barsoum
Ignatius Afram I Barsoum
Ignatius Afram I Barsoum was the 120th Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He wrote, translated and published many works all of which are very scholarly. He wrote books on the tradition, liturgy, music, and history of Syriac Orthodox Church.Patriarch Mor...
formally excommunicated him, although his successor Ignatius Ya`qub III retracted this decision in late 1950s.
Farid Nazha continued publishing his newspaper until his death in Spain in 19 October 1970.