Paul of Edessa
Encyclopedia
Paul of Edessa was the Monophysite bishop of Edessa
. He was consecrated 510, succeeding Peter. In the first year of his episcopate Paul joined with Gamalinus, bishop of Perrha, against certain sectarians who refused the use of bread, water, and wine, except in celebrating the Eucharist
. Justin
, becoming emperor, undertook to force the decrees of Chalcedon
on Severus of Antioch
and his followers, and committed the task to Patricius. Patricius arrived at Edessa in November 519, then ordered Paul either to subscribe the council or resign. Paul refused, and took sanctuary in his baptistery; whence he was dragged by Patricius and sentenced to be exiled to Seleucia
. Justin, however, hoping to overcome the bishop's resistance, reinstated him after 44 days. But Paul still refused to submit, and was at length deposed and banished to Euchaita
in Pontus
, July 522. A later imperial order placed Asclepius in the see.
Paul translated, no doubt in his days of exile, the Greek hymns of Severus and other Monophysite writers, and arranged them so as to form a Syriac hymnal. On the death of Asclepius (June 525), Paul "repented" (as the orthodox author of the Chronicon Edessenum states) and submitted to Justinian
, then acting for Justin. From him Paul obtained a letter supporting the petition he addressed to Euphrasius, then Patriarch of Antioch
, praying to be restored to his see. Paul was accordingly permitted to return to Edessa as bishop in March 526. He survived this his third inauguration less than 8 months, dying on October 30, less than a year before Justin died. The Syrian church
, however, cannot have regarded him as a renegade, for he is commemorated in their calendar on August 23, as "Mar Paulus, bishop of Edessa, Interpreter of Books," a title likewise given to Jacob of Edessa
.
His hymnal consists of 365 hymns. These include 295 written by Severus; the rest by diverse individuals including Severus' contemporary John Bar-Aphtunaya, abbot of Kinnesrin, and John Psaltes his successor there. Though the translation is no doubt mainly Paul's work, it includes a few hymns of obviously later date. A manuscript of this collection as corrected by his famous successor Jacob (dated AD 675), and probably written by his hand, is in the British Museum (Add. MS. 17134). Joseph Barber Lightfoot
gives the hymns of this collection "on Ignatius" at length, with a translation (Ignatius, vol. i. p. 185).
Edessa, Mesopotamia
Edessa is the Greek name of an Aramaic town in northern Mesopotamia, as refounded by Seleucus I Nicator. For the modern history of the city, see Şanlıurfa.-Names:...
. He was consecrated 510, succeeding Peter. In the first year of his episcopate Paul joined with Gamalinus, bishop of Perrha, against certain sectarians who refused the use of bread, water, and wine, except in celebrating the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
. Justin
Justin I
Justin I was Byzantine Emperor from 518 to 527. He rose through the ranks of the army and ultimately became its Emperor, in spite of the fact he was illiterate and almost 70 years old at the time of accession...
, becoming emperor, undertook to force the decrees of Chalcedon
Council of Chalcedon
The Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
on Severus of Antioch
Severus of Antioch
Severus, Patriarch of Antioch , born approximately 465 in Sozopolis in Pisidia, was by birth and education a pagan, who was baptized in the "precinct of the divine martyr Leontius" at Tripoli, Lebanon.- Life :...
and his followers, and committed the task to Patricius. Patricius arrived at Edessa in November 519, then ordered Paul either to subscribe the council or resign. Paul refused, and took sanctuary in his baptistery; whence he was dragged by Patricius and sentenced to be exiled to Seleucia
Seleucia
Seleucia was the first capital of the Seleucid Empire, and one of the great cities of antiquity standing in Mesopotamia, on the Tigris River.Seleucia may refer to:...
. Justin, however, hoping to overcome the bishop's resistance, reinstated him after 44 days. But Paul still refused to submit, and was at length deposed and banished to Euchaita
Euchaita
Euchaita was a town in Pontus, in northern Asia Minor . Today the Turkish village Beyözü, which partly lies on the ruins, in the province of Çorum ....
in Pontus
Pontus
Pontus or Pontos is a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, located in modern-day northeastern Turkey. The name was applied to the coastal region in antiquity by the Greeks who colonized the area, and derived from the Greek name of the Black Sea: Πόντος...
, July 522. A later imperial order placed Asclepius in the see.
Paul translated, no doubt in his days of exile, the Greek hymns of Severus and other Monophysite writers, and arranged them so as to form a Syriac hymnal. On the death of Asclepius (June 525), Paul "repented" (as the orthodox author of the Chronicon Edessenum states) and submitted to Justinian
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
, then acting for Justin. From him Paul obtained a letter supporting the petition he addressed to Euphrasius, then Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
, praying to be restored to his see. Paul was accordingly permitted to return to Edessa as bishop in March 526. He survived this his third inauguration less than 8 months, dying on October 30, less than a year before Justin died. The Syrian church
Syriac Orthodox Church
The Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
, however, cannot have regarded him as a renegade, for he is commemorated in their calendar on August 23, as "Mar Paulus, bishop of Edessa, Interpreter of Books," a title likewise given to Jacob of Edessa
Jacob of Edessa
Jacob of Edessa was one of the most distinguished of Syriac writers.-Life:Jacob of Edessa was born in Aindaba near Aleppo, around 640...
.
His hymnal consists of 365 hymns. These include 295 written by Severus; the rest by diverse individuals including Severus' contemporary John Bar-Aphtunaya, abbot of Kinnesrin, and John Psaltes his successor there. Though the translation is no doubt mainly Paul's work, it includes a few hymns of obviously later date. A manuscript of this collection as corrected by his famous successor Jacob (dated AD 675), and probably written by his hand, is in the British Museum (Add. MS. 17134). Joseph Barber Lightfoot
Joseph Barber Lightfoot
Joseph Barber Lightfoot was an English theologian and Bishop of Durham, usually known as J.B. Lightfoot....
gives the hymns of this collection "on Ignatius" at length, with a translation (Ignatius, vol. i. p. 185).