Louis Cheikhô
Encyclopedia
Louis Cheikhô, or Sheikho, , born Rizqallâh Cheikhô (1859–1927) was an ethnic Assyrian
Orientalist
and Theologian. He is considered as a major contributor and pioneer of the rediscovery of the Eastern Rite
Christian
heritage.
, Iraq
on February 5, 1859 . His father was an ethnic Assyrian
of the Chaldean Catholic tradition whose family had been based at Mardin for at least three centuries. His mother was an Armenian
named Elizabeth Schamsé, who took him on pilgrimage to the Holy Land aged 9.
. At this date, the seminary was not merely preparing young men for the priesthood, but also acted as a secondary college for young Christian men. Both groups followed a similar syllabus. There, he learned both ancient and modern European and Semitic languages.
In 1874 he took the name Louis and joined the Jesuit seminary at Lons-le-Saunier
, France
. After two years he became a priest.
In 1878, he returned to Lebanon
and taught Arabic Literature
at the Jesuit Saint Joseph College in Beirut
for 10 years. During this period, Cheikho continued his studies of philosophy
at Université Saint-Joseph
, Beirut
.
In 1888, Cheikho travelled to Great Britain
where he continued theological studies for 4 years then spent one year in Austria
and another year in Paris
. Those extended European stays allowed him to acquire the academic methodologies that helped him in his later works.
Finally in 1894, he settled in Beirut, Lebanon, where he continued his academic career at Université Saint-Joseph.
Louis Cheikho died in Beirut in 1927.
Cheikho is perhaps the founder of modern publications of unpublished Eastern Christian
texts, especially Christian Arabic texts. He also founded, in 1898, the journal Al-Machriq
, and contributed many articles and publications to its pages.
His work was an inspiration for CEDRAC
.
Assyrian people
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia...
Orientalist
Oriental studies
Oriental studies is the academic field of study that embraces Near Eastern and Far Eastern societies and cultures, languages, peoples, history and archaeology; in recent years the subject has often been turned into the newer terms of Asian studies and Middle Eastern studies...
and Theologian. He is considered as a major contributor and pioneer of the rediscovery of the Eastern Rite
Eastern Christianity
Eastern Christianity comprises the Christian traditions and churches that developed in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East, Northeastern Africa, India and parts of the Far East over several centuries of religious antiquity. The term is generally used in Western Christianity to...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
heritage.
Biography
Louis Cheikho was born in MardinMardin
Mardin is a city in southeastern Turkey. The capital of Mardin Province, it is known for its Arabic-like architecture, and for its strategic location on a rocky mountain overlooking the plains of northern Syria.-History:...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
on February 5, 1859 . His father was an ethnic Assyrian
Assyrian people
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia...
of the Chaldean Catholic tradition whose family had been based at Mardin for at least three centuries. His mother was an Armenian
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
named Elizabeth Schamsé, who took him on pilgrimage to the Holy Land aged 9.
Early life
In 1868, Cheikhô joined his brother at the Maronite Jesuit Seminary in Ghazîr, LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. At this date, the seminary was not merely preparing young men for the priesthood, but also acted as a secondary college for young Christian men. Both groups followed a similar syllabus. There, he learned both ancient and modern European and Semitic languages.
In 1874 he took the name Louis and joined the Jesuit seminary at Lons-le-Saunier
Lons-le-Saunier
Lons-le-Saunier is a commune and capital of the Jura department in eastern France.-Geography:The town is in the heart of the Revermont region, at the foot of the "premier plateau" of the Jura massif...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. After two years he became a priest.
In 1878, he returned to Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and taught Arabic Literature
Arabic literature
Arabic literature is the writing produced, both prose and poetry, by writers in the Arabic language. The Arabic word used for literature is adab which is derived from a meaning of etiquette, and implies politeness, culture and enrichment....
at the Jesuit Saint Joseph College in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
for 10 years. During this period, Cheikho continued his studies of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at Université Saint-Joseph
Université Saint-Joseph
Saint Joseph University is a private Catholic higher institute of education founded by the Jesuits in 1875 in Beirut, Lebanon, known for its school of medicine and its hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de France. The Lebanese state officially recognizes the university and the diplomas it grants in accord with...
, Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
.
In 1888, Cheikho travelled to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
where he continued theological studies for 4 years then spent one year in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and another year in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Those extended European stays allowed him to acquire the academic methodologies that helped him in his later works.
Finally in 1894, he settled in Beirut, Lebanon, where he continued his academic career at Université Saint-Joseph.
Louis Cheikho died in Beirut in 1927.
Cheikho is perhaps the founder of modern publications of unpublished Eastern Christian
Eastern Christianity
Eastern Christianity comprises the Christian traditions and churches that developed in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East, Northeastern Africa, India and parts of the Far East over several centuries of religious antiquity. The term is generally used in Western Christianity to...
texts, especially Christian Arabic texts. He also founded, in 1898, the journal Al-Machriq
Al-Machriq
Al-Machriq is a journal edited by the Catholic fathers of St. Joseph University in Beirut. Subtitle is Revue Catholique Orientale. Sciences, Lettres, Arts. It was founded in 1898 by Louis Cheikhô, and had run through 72 volumes by 1998....
, and contributed many articles and publications to its pages.
His work was an inspiration for CEDRAC
CEDRAC
CEDRAC is the abbreviated name of the research and documentation center for Arabic Christianity....
.
Works
- Anciens traités arabes : contenant La politique de Themistius, L'économie domestique de Probus (?), Les récits amusants de Barhebraeus et L'exclusion de la tristesse, attribué à Platon. publiés par Louis Cheikho. Beyrouth : Impr. catholique, 1920-23. 68 p.
- Vingt traités théologiques d'auteurs arabes chrétiens, IXe-XIIIe siècle, publiés par le P. Louis Cheikho avec le concours des P.P. Louis Malouf et Constantin Bacha. Edition Deuxième édition augmentée. Beyrouth, Imprimerie Catholique, 1920. 148 p. Main text in Arabic, preface in French.