Syriac Orthodox Church
Encyclopedia
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. Peter. It employs the oldest surviving liturgy in Christianity, the Liturgy of St. James the Apostle, and uses Syriac
, a dialect of Aramaic
spoken by Jesus Christ and his Apostles, as its official and liturgical language. The church is led by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.
by the Apostle St. Peter. It is one of the two autocephalous which claim the title of the Patriarch of Antioch
. The current head of the Syriac Orthodox Church is the Patriarch
Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
, who resides in Damascus
, the capital of Syria
. The Church has about 26 archdioceses and 11 patriarchal vicarates. Patriarch Zakka was enthroned head of the church on 14 September 1980, on the feast of the Cross
. Syriac Orthodox faithful around the world took part in the silver jubilee
celebrations of his patriarchate in 2005.
St. Peter is considered as the first bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch. When he left Antioch, Evodios and Ignatius
took over the charge of the Patriarchate. Both Evodios and Ignatius died as martyrs under Roman Persecution. (Because of the prominence of St. Ignatius in the church's history, almost all of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs since 1293 were named Ignatius).
named Arius
began a theological dispute about the nature of Christ that spread throughout the Christian world and is now known as Arianism
. The Ecumenical Council of Nicaea AD 325 was convened by Constantine under the presidency of Saint Hosius of Cordova and Saint Alexander of Alexandria
to resolve the dispute and eventually led to the formulation of the Symbol of Faith, also known as the Nicene Creed
. The Creed, which is now recited throughout the Christian world, was based largely on the teaching put forth by a man who eventually would become Saint Athanasius of Alexandria
, the chief opponent of Arius.
, which completed the Nicene Creed
with this confirmation of the divinity of the Holy Spirit
:
, the Patriarch of Constantinople who taught that God the Word was not hypostatically joined with human nature, but rather dwelt in the man Jesus. As a consequence of this, he denied the title "Mother of God" (Theotokos
) to the Virgin Mary, declaring her instead to be "Mother of Christ" Christotokos.
When reports of this reached the Apostolic Throne of Saint Mark
, Pope Saint Cyril I of Alexandria
acted quickly to correct this breach with orthodoxy, requesting that Nestorius repent. When he would not, the Synod of Alexandria met in an emergency session and a unanimous agreement was reached. Pope Cyril I of Alexandria
, supported by the entire See, sent a letter to Nestorius known as "The Third Epistle of Saint Cyril to Nestorius
." This epistle drew heavily on the established Patristic Constitutions and contained the most famous article of Alexandrian Orthodoxy: "The Twelve Anathemas of Saint Cyril." In these anathema
s, Cyril excommunicated anyone who followed the teachings of Nestorius. For example, "Anyone who dares to deny the Holy Virgin the title Theotokos
is Anathema!" Nestorius however, still would not repent and so this led to the convening of the First Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431), over which Cyril I of Alexandria
presided.
The First Ecumenical Council of Ephesus confirmed the teachings of Saint Athanasius
and confirmed the title of Mary as "Mother of God". It also clearly stated that anyone who separated Christ
into two hypostases was anathema, as Athanasius had said that there is "One Nature and One Hypostasis for God the Word Incarnate" (Mia Physis tou Theou Togou Sesarkōmenē).
. If Christ is in full humanity and in full divinity, then He is separate in two persons as the Nestorians
teach, according to the Oriental Orthodox (the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic, as well as most Protestants, vigorously deny this, teaching that Christ is a single Person or "hypostastis" who is in two natures which are hypostatically joined in His single Person). This is the doctrinal perception that makes the apparent difference which separated the Oriental Orthodox from the Eastern Orthodox.
The Council's findings were rejected by many of the Christians on the fringes of the Byzantine Empire
, including Syriac Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church
, and others.
was vested in the Bishop of Antioch from the earliest years of Christianity
. The first among the Bishops of Antioch was St. Peter who is believed to have established a church at Antioch in AD 37. Given the antiquity of the bishopric of Antioch and the importance of the Church in the city of Antioch which was a commercially significant city in the eastern parts of the Roman Empire, the First Council of Nicaea
(325) recognized the bishopric as a Patriarchate along with the bishoprics of Rome, Alexandria, and Jerusalem, bestowing authority for the Church in Antioch and All of the East on the Patriarch. (The Synod of Constantinople in 381 recognized the See of Constantinople also as a Patriarchate).
Even though the Synod of Nicaea was convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine, the authority of the ecumenical synod was also accepted by the Church in the Persian Empire which was politically isolated from the Churches in the Roman Empire. Until 498, this Church accepted the spiritual authority of the Patriarch of Antioch.
The Christological controversies that followed the Council of Chalcedon
in 451 resulted in a long struggle for the Patriarchate between those who accepted and those who rejected the Council. In 518, Patriarch Mar Severius
was exiled from the city of Antioch and took refuge in Alexandria. On account of many historical upheavals and consequent hardships which the church had to undergo, the Patriarchate was transferred to different monasteries in Mesopotamia for centuries. In the 13th century it was transferred in the Mor Hananyo Monastery (Deir al-Za`faran), in southeastern Turkey
near Mardin
, where it remained until 1933. Due to an adverse political situation, it was transferred to Homs
, Syria
and in 1959 was transferred again to Damascus
.
The Patriarchate office is now in Bab Tuma
, in Damascus, capital of Syria; but the Patriarch resides at the Mar Aphrem Monastery in Ma`arat Sayyidnaya located about twenty five kilometers north of Damascus.
. The official name of the church in Syriac is ; this name has not changed, nor has it changed in any language other than English. The church is often referred to as Jacobite (after Jacob Baradaeus
), but it rejects this name.
The Fathers of the Syriac Orthodox Church tried to give a theological interpretation to the primacy of Saint Peter
. They were fully convinced of the unique office of Peter in the primitive Christian community. Ephrem
, Aphrahat
and Marutha
who were supposed to be the best exponents of the early Syriac tradition
unequivocally acknowledge the office of Peter.
The Syriac Fathers following the rabbinic tradition call Jesus “Kepha
” for they see “rock” in the Old Testament as a messianic Symbol. When Christ gave his own name “Kepha” to Simon he was giving him participation in the person and office of Christ. Christ who is the Kepha and shepherd made Simon the chief shepherd in his place and gave him the very name Kepha and said that on Kepha he would build the Church. Aphrahat
shared the common Syriac tradition. For him Kepha is in fact another name of Jesus, and Simon was given the right to share the name. The person who receives somebody else’s name also obtains the rights of the person who bestows the name. Aphrahat makes the stone taken from Jordan a type of Peter. He says Jesus son of Nun set up the stones for a witness in Israel; Jesus our Saviour called Simon Kepha Sarirto and set him as the faithful witness among nations.
Again he says in his commentary on Deuteronomy
that Moses
brought forth water from “rock” (Kepha) for the people and Jesus sent Simon Kepha to carry his teachings among nations. Our Lord accepted him and made him the foundation of the Church and called him Kepha
. When he speaks about transfiguration of Christ he calls him Simon Peter, the foundation of the Church. Ephrem also shared the same view. The Armenian version of De Virginitate records that Peter the Rock shunned honour Who was the head of the Apostles. In a mimro of Efrem found in Holy Week Liturgy points to the importance of Peter.
Both Aphrahat
and Ephrem the Syrian
represent the authentic tradition of the Syrian Church. The different orders of liturgies used for sanctification of Church building, marriage, ordination etc. reveal that the primacy of Peter is a part of living faith of the Church.
They are:
According to the Syriac Tradition, an ecclesiastical day starts at sunset. Also the worshiper has to face the east while worshiping. (For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man - Matthew 24:27.)
Apart from certain readings, all prayers are sung in the form of chants and melodies. Hundreds of melodies remain and these are preserved in the book known as Beth Gazo
. It is the key reference to Syriac Orthodox church music. Anyone who wishes to sing Syriac Orthodox music well must master the Beth Gazo
(Syriac: simple, common) as its Bible. The Old Testament
books of this Bible were translated from Greek
to Syriac between the late 1st century to the early 3rd century AD.
The Old Testament of the Peshitta
was translated from the Hebrew, probably in the 2nd century. The New Testament
of the Peshitta, which originally excluded certain disputed books, had become the standard by the early 5th century, replacing two early Syriac versions of the gospels.
The clergy of the Syriac Orthodox Church have unique vestments that are quite different from other Christian denominations. The vestments worn by the clergy vary with their order in the priesthood. The deacon
s, the priest
s, the bishop
s, and the patriarch
each have different vestments.
The priest's usual dress is a black robe
, but in India, due to the harsh weather, priests usually wear a white robe. Bishops usually wear a black or a red robe with a red belt. They do not, however, wear a red robe in the presence of the Patriarch who wears a red robe. Bishops visiting a diocese outside their jurisdiction also wear black robes in deference to the bishop of the diocese, who alone wears red robes. Priests also wear phiro, or a cap, which he must wear for all the public prayers. Monks also wear eskimo, a hood. Priests also have ceremonial shoes which are called msone. Then there is a white robe called kutino symbolizing purity. Hamniko or Stole is wore over this white robe. Then he wears girdle called zenoro and zende meaning sleeves. If the celebrant is a bishop, he wears a masnapto, or turban
(Very different from turban worn by Sikh
men). A cope called phayno is worn over these vestments. Batrashil, or Pallium, is worn over Phayno by Bishops (Very similar to Hamnikho worn by priests).
Only a full deacon or Masamsono can take the censer during the Divine Liturgy
to assist the priest. However, in Malankara Church, because of the lack of deacons, altar assistants who do not have any rank of deaconhood assist the priest. The deacons in Malankara Church is allowed to wear a phiro, or a cap.
, who is the "father of fathers". Next to him is the Maphriyono or Catholicos of India
who is the head of a division of the Church. Then there are Metropolitans or Archbishops and under them there are Episcopos or Bishops.
(†1957) established St. Aphrem's Clerical School in 1934 in Zahlé
, Lebanon
. In 1946 it was moved to Mosul
, Iraq
, where it provided the Church with a good selection of graduates, the first among them being Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
and many other of the Church's eminences. Also the church has an international Christian education centre which is a centre for religious education, knowing that youth play a vital role in the Church's future. In the year 1990 he established the Order of St. Jacob Baradaeus for nuns and renovated St. Aphrem's Clerical building in Atshanneh, Lebanon for the new order.
since 1960 and the Patriarch, Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
is one of the presidents of World Council of Churches. The Syriac Orthodox Church is also actively involved in ecumenical dialogues with the Catholic Church and Eastern orthodox churches. There are common Christological and pastoral agreements with the Catholic Church. It has also been involved in the Middle East Council of Churches since 1974.
Since 1998, the heads of the three Oriental Churches in the Eastern Mediterranean i.e. the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church
(Catholicate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon) meet regularly each year.
as its supreme head. The local head of the church in Malankara is the Catholicos of India, currently His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I, ordained by the Patriarch in 2002 and accountable to the Patriarch of Antioch. The church in India is an integral part of St. Thomas Christians. Some of the Knanaya
Christians in India are also under the leadership of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.
The language of the Syriac Orthodox Divine Liturgy
in India is partly Syriac and partly Malayalam.
In North America, there are three archdioceses in the USA, and one in Canada
In South America, there are two Archdioceses, one in Argentina, and the other one in Brazil.
and the Western United States, and the Malankara Archdiocese of the U.S.
----
In the north of Europe there are two Archdioceses, while Central Europe and the Benelux Countries have five Archdioceses.
|+ Archdiocese of Sweden
! Syriac Orthodox Church > Town
| St. Petrus & St. Paulus Hallunda/Stockholm
| St. Maria Spånga/Stockholm
| St. Behnam & St. Matai Flemingsberg/Stockholm
| St. Shemon Dzeite Huskvarna
| St. Dimet Jönköping
| St. Maria Jönköping
| St. - Jönköping, Landskrona & Växsjö
| St. Johannes Lidköping
| St. Georgis Linköping
| St. Markus Linköping
| St. - Malmö & Mjölby
| St. Maria Motala
| St. Kyriakos Norrköping
| St. Maria Norrköping
| St. Matti & St. Behnan Segeltorp
| St. Johannes Angered/Göteborg
| St. Adai Enköping
| St. Abay Skövde
| St. Touma Södertälje
| St. Afrem Cathedral Södertälje
| St. Petrus & Paulus Trollhättan
| St. Koriakos & St. Adai Västerås
| St. Maria Örebro
----
His Eminence Mor Malatius Malki Malki.
Antiochian Orthodox Church
claim to be the sole legitimate church of Antioch
and successor there of the Apostle St. Peter. There are also three Eastern Catholic Churches claiming the Patriarchate: the Syriac Catholic Church
, the Maronite Catholic Church, and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
.
Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church
Media
Autocephaly
Autocephaly , in hierarchical Christian churches and especially Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, is the status of a hierarchical church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop...
Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean
Eastern Mediterranean
The Eastern Mediterranean is a term that denotes the countries geographically to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. This region is also known as Greater Syria or the Levant....
, 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
Antioch
Antioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
by the Apostle St. Peter. It employs the oldest surviving liturgy in Christianity, the Liturgy of St. James the Apostle, and uses Syriac
Syriac language
Syriac is a dialect of Middle Aramaic that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. Having first appeared as a script in the 1st century AD after being spoken as an unwritten language for five centuries, Classical Syriac became a major literary language throughout the Middle East from...
, a dialect of Aramaic
Aramaic language
Aramaic is a group of languages belonging to the Afroasiatic language phylum. The name of the language is based on the name of Aram, an ancient region in central Syria. Within this family, Aramaic belongs to the Semitic family, and more specifically, is a part of the Northwest Semitic subfamily,...
spoken by Jesus Christ and his Apostles, as its official and liturgical language. The church is led by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.
Place in Christianity
The Syriac Orthodox Church derives its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in AntiochAntioch
Antioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
by the Apostle St. Peter. It is one of the two autocephalous which claim the title of the 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...
. The current head of the Syriac Orthodox Church is the Patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas is the 122nd reigning Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and as such, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. Also known by his traditional episcopal name, Severios, he was enthroned as patriarch on 14 September 1980 in St. George's...
, who resides in Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, the capital of Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. The Church has about 26 archdioceses and 11 patriarchal vicarates. Patriarch Zakka was enthroned head of the church on 14 September 1980, on the feast of the Cross
Feast of the Cross
In the Christian liturgical calendar, there are several different Feasts of the Cross, all of which commemorate the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus....
. Syriac Orthodox faithful around the world took part in the silver jubilee
Silver Jubilee
A Silver Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 25th anniversary. The anniversary celebrations can be of a wedding anniversary, ruling anniversary or anything that has completed a 25 year mark...
celebrations of his patriarchate in 2005.
Apostolic foundation
Syriac Orthodox Church is one of the ancient churches of the world. According to the New Testament "The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." (Acts 11:26).St. Peter is considered as the first bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch. When he left Antioch, Evodios and Ignatius
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius of Antioch was among the Apostolic Fathers, was the third Bishop of Antioch, and was a student of John the Apostle. En route to his martyrdom in Rome, Ignatius wrote a series of letters which have been preserved as an example of very early Christian theology...
took over the charge of the Patriarchate. Both Evodios and Ignatius died as martyrs under Roman Persecution. (Because of the prominence of St. Ignatius in the church's history, almost all of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs since 1293 were named Ignatius).
Ecumenical synods
The Church of Antioch played a significant role in the early history of Christianity. It played a prominent role in the first three Synods held at Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381), and Ephesus (431), shaping the formulation and early interpretation of Christian doctrines.Council of Nicaea
In the 4th century, an Alexandrian presbyterPresbyter
Presbyter in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations, then a synonym of episkopos...
named Arius
Arius
Arius was a Christian presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt of Libyan origins. His teachings about the nature of the Godhead, which emphasized the Father's divinity over the Son , and his opposition to the Athanasian or Trinitarian Christology, made him a controversial figure in the First Council of...
began a theological dispute about the nature of Christ that spread throughout the Christian world and is now known as Arianism
Arianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
. The Ecumenical Council of Nicaea AD 325 was convened by Constantine under the presidency of Saint Hosius of Cordova and Saint Alexander of Alexandria
Alexander of Alexandria
Alexander of Alexandria was the nineteenth Patriarch of Alexandria from 313 to his death. During his patriarchate, he dealt with a number of issues relevant to a church's positions on issues facing the church. These included the dating of Easter, the actions of Meletius of Lycopolis, and the issue...
to resolve the dispute and eventually led to the formulation of the Symbol of Faith, also known as the Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
. The Creed, which is now recited throughout the Christian world, was based largely on the teaching put forth by a man who eventually would become Saint Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
, the chief opponent of Arius.
Council of Constantinople
In the year AD 381, Saint Timothy I of Alexandria presided over the second ecumenical council known as the Ecumenical Council of ConstantinopleFirst Council of Constantinople
The First Council of Constantinople is recognized as the Second Ecumenical Council by the Assyrian Church of the East, the Oriental Orthodox, the Eastern Orthodox, the Roman Catholics, the Old Catholics, and a number of other Western Christian groups. It was the first Ecumenical Council held in...
, which completed the Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
with this confirmation of the divinity of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
:
- "We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified who spoke by the Prophets and in One, Holy, Universal, and Apostolic church. We confess one Baptism for the remission of sins and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the coming age, Amen."
Council of Ephesus
Another theological dispute in the 5th century occurred over the teachings of NestoriusNestorius
Nestorius was Archbishop of Constantinople from 10 April 428 to 22 June 431.Drawing on his studies at the School of Antioch, his teachings, which included a rejection of the long-used title of Theotokos for the Virgin Mary, brought him into conflict with other prominent churchmen of the time,...
, the Patriarch of Constantinople who taught that God the Word was not hypostatically joined with human nature, but rather dwelt in the man Jesus. As a consequence of this, he denied the title "Mother of God" (Theotokos
Theotokos
Theotokos is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include God-bearer and the one who gives birth to God. Less literal translations include Mother of God...
) to the Virgin Mary, declaring her instead to be "Mother of Christ" Christotokos.
When reports of this reached the Apostolic Throne of Saint Mark
Mark the Evangelist
Mark the Evangelist is the traditional author of the Gospel of Mark. He is one of the Seventy Disciples of Christ, and the founder of the Church of Alexandria, one of the original four main sees of Christianity....
, Pope Saint Cyril I of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 to 444. He came to power when the city was at its height of influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the later 4th and 5th centuries...
acted quickly to correct this breach with orthodoxy, requesting that Nestorius repent. When he would not, the Synod of Alexandria met in an emergency session and a unanimous agreement was reached. Pope Cyril I of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 to 444. He came to power when the city was at its height of influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the later 4th and 5th centuries...
, supported by the entire See, sent a letter to Nestorius known as "The Third Epistle of Saint Cyril to Nestorius
Nestorius
Nestorius was Archbishop of Constantinople from 10 April 428 to 22 June 431.Drawing on his studies at the School of Antioch, his teachings, which included a rejection of the long-used title of Theotokos for the Virgin Mary, brought him into conflict with other prominent churchmen of the time,...
." This epistle drew heavily on the established Patristic Constitutions and contained the most famous article of Alexandrian Orthodoxy: "The Twelve Anathemas of Saint Cyril." In these anathema
Anathema
Anathema originally meant something lifted up as an offering to the gods; it later evolved to mean:...
s, Cyril excommunicated anyone who followed the teachings of Nestorius. For example, "Anyone who dares to deny the Holy Virgin the title Theotokos
Theotokos
Theotokos is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include God-bearer and the one who gives birth to God. Less literal translations include Mother of God...
is Anathema!" Nestorius however, still would not repent and so this led to the convening of the First Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431), over which Cyril I of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 to 444. He came to power when the city was at its height of influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the later 4th and 5th centuries...
presided.
The First Ecumenical Council of Ephesus confirmed the teachings of Saint Athanasius
Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
and confirmed the title of Mary as "Mother of God". It also clearly stated that anyone who separated Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
into two hypostases was anathema, as Athanasius had said that there is "One Nature and One Hypostasis for God the Word Incarnate" (Mia Physis tou Theou Togou Sesarkōmenē).
Council of Chalcedon
In terms of Christology, the Oriental Orthodox (Non-Chalcedonians) understanding is that Christ is "One Nature—the Logos Incarnate," of the full humanity and full divinity. The Chalcedonians understanding is that Christ is in two natures, full humanity and full divinity. Just as humans are of their mothers and fathers and not in their mothers and fathers, so too is the nature of Christ according to Oriental OrthodoxyOriental Orthodoxy
Oriental Orthodoxy is the faith of those Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the First Council of Constantinople and the First Council of Ephesus. They rejected the dogmatic definitions of the Council of Chalcedon...
. If Christ is in full humanity and in full divinity, then He is separate in two persons as the Nestorians
Nestorianism
Nestorianism is a Christological doctrine advanced by Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople from 428–431. The doctrine, which was informed by Nestorius's studies under Theodore of Mopsuestia at the School of Antioch, emphasizes the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus...
teach, according to the Oriental Orthodox (the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic, as well as most Protestants, vigorously deny this, teaching that Christ is a single Person or "hypostastis" who is in two natures which are hypostatically joined in His single Person). This is the doctrinal perception that makes the apparent difference which separated the Oriental Orthodox from the Eastern Orthodox.
The Council's findings were rejected by many of the Christians on the fringes of the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, including Syriac Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
, and others.
Patriarchate of Antioch
The spiritual care of the Church of AntiochAntioch
Antioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
was vested in the Bishop of Antioch from the earliest years of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. The first among the Bishops of Antioch was St. Peter who is believed to have established a church at Antioch in AD 37. Given the antiquity of the bishopric of Antioch and the importance of the Church in the city of Antioch which was a commercially significant city in the eastern parts of the Roman Empire, the First Council of Nicaea
First Council of Nicaea
The First Council of Nicaea was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325...
(325) recognized the bishopric as a Patriarchate along with the bishoprics of Rome, Alexandria, and Jerusalem, bestowing authority for the Church in Antioch and All of the East on the Patriarch. (The Synod of Constantinople in 381 recognized the See of Constantinople also as a Patriarchate).
Even though the Synod of Nicaea was convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine, the authority of the ecumenical synod was also accepted by the Church in the Persian Empire which was politically isolated from the Churches in the Roman Empire. Until 498, this Church accepted the spiritual authority of the Patriarch of Antioch.
The Christological controversies that followed the Council 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...
in 451 resulted in a long struggle for the Patriarchate between those who accepted and those who rejected the Council. In 518, Patriarch Mar Severius
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 :...
was exiled from the city of Antioch and took refuge in Alexandria. On account of many historical upheavals and consequent hardships which the church had to undergo, the Patriarchate was transferred to different monasteries in Mesopotamia for centuries. In the 13th century it was transferred in the Mor Hananyo Monastery (Deir al-Za`faran), in southeastern Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
near Mardin
Mardin
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:...
, where it remained until 1933. Due to an adverse political situation, it was transferred to Homs
Homs
Homs , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and in 1959 was transferred again to Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
.
The Patriarchate office is now in Bab Tuma
Bab Tuma
Bab Tuma is a borough of Old Damascus in Syria, one of the gates inside the historical walls of the city, and a geographic landmark of Early Christianity...
, in Damascus, capital of Syria; but the Patriarch resides at the Mar Aphrem Monastery in Ma`arat Sayyidnaya located about twenty five kilometers north of Damascus.
Official Name
In 2000, a Holy Synod ruled that the name of the church in English should be the "'Syriac Orthodox Church". Before this it was, and often still is, known as the "Syrian Orthodox Church". The name was changed to disassociate the church from the polity of SyriaSyria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. The official name of the church in Syriac is ; this name has not changed, nor has it changed in any language other than English. The church is often referred to as Jacobite (after Jacob Baradaeus
Jacob Baradaeus
Jacob Baradaeus was Bishop of Edessa from 543 until his death. One of the most important figures in the history of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Oriental Orthodox churches generally, he was a defender of the Monophysite movement in a time when its strength was declining...
), but it rejects this name.
Primacy of Saint Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
. They were fully convinced of the unique office of Peter in the primitive Christian community. Ephrem
Ephrem the Syrian
Ephrem the Syrian was a Syriac and a prolific Syriac-language hymnographer and theologian of the 4th century. He is venerated by Christians throughout the world, and especially in the Syriac Orthodox Church, as a saint.Ephrem wrote a wide variety of hymns, poems, and sermons in verse, as well as...
, Aphrahat
Aphrahat
Aphrahat was a Syriac-Christian author of the 4th century from the Adiabene region of Northern Mesopotamia, which was within the Persian Empire, who composed a series of twenty-three expositions or homilies on points of Christian doctrine and practice...
and Marutha
Marutha
Marutha is a small town in Nilambur taluk of Malappuram district. There is no place name named Marutha, but commonly calling an area includes different place names. Marutha is a part of Vazhikkadavu Panchayath and is known for its gold deposits along the banks of river Maruthappuzha...
who were supposed to be the best exponents of the early Syriac tradition
Syriac Christianity
Syriac or Syrian Christianity , the Syriac-speaking Christians of Mesopotamia, comprises multiple Christian traditions of Eastern Christianity. With a history going back to the 1st Century AD, in modern times it is represented by denominations primarily in the Middle East and in Kerala, India....
unequivocally acknowledge the office of Peter.
The Syriac Fathers following the rabbinic tradition call Jesus “Kepha
Kepha
Kepha is a growing brotherhood of Catholic fathers and sons in seven states. Faithful to the Holy Father, they promote the Culture of Life through monthly retreats and shared daily prayers and provoke each other to Heaven according to their motto, "Dynamic Orthodoxy, Infectious Joy." It is a...
” for they see “rock” in the Old Testament as a messianic Symbol. When Christ gave his own name “Kepha” to Simon he was giving him participation in the person and office of Christ. Christ who is the Kepha and shepherd made Simon the chief shepherd in his place and gave him the very name Kepha and said that on Kepha he would build the Church. Aphrahat
Aphrahat
Aphrahat was a Syriac-Christian author of the 4th century from the Adiabene region of Northern Mesopotamia, which was within the Persian Empire, who composed a series of twenty-three expositions or homilies on points of Christian doctrine and practice...
shared the common Syriac tradition. For him Kepha is in fact another name of Jesus, and Simon was given the right to share the name. The person who receives somebody else’s name also obtains the rights of the person who bestows the name. Aphrahat makes the stone taken from Jordan a type of Peter. He says Jesus son of Nun set up the stones for a witness in Israel; Jesus our Saviour called Simon Kepha Sarirto and set him as the faithful witness among nations.
Again he says in his commentary on Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, and of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch...
that Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
brought forth water from “rock” (Kepha) for the people and Jesus sent Simon Kepha to carry his teachings among nations. Our Lord accepted him and made him the foundation of the Church and called him Kepha
Kepha
Kepha is a growing brotherhood of Catholic fathers and sons in seven states. Faithful to the Holy Father, they promote the Culture of Life through monthly retreats and shared daily prayers and provoke each other to Heaven according to their motto, "Dynamic Orthodoxy, Infectious Joy." It is a...
. When he speaks about transfiguration of Christ he calls him Simon Peter, the foundation of the Church. Ephrem also shared the same view. The Armenian version of De Virginitate records that Peter the Rock shunned honour Who was the head of the Apostles. In a mimro of Efrem found in Holy Week Liturgy points to the importance of Peter.
Both Aphrahat
Aphrahat
Aphrahat was a Syriac-Christian author of the 4th century from the Adiabene region of Northern Mesopotamia, which was within the Persian Empire, who composed a series of twenty-three expositions or homilies on points of Christian doctrine and practice...
and Ephrem the Syrian
Ephrem the Syrian
Ephrem the Syrian was a Syriac and a prolific Syriac-language hymnographer and theologian of the 4th century. He is venerated by Christians throughout the world, and especially in the Syriac Orthodox Church, as a saint.Ephrem wrote a wide variety of hymns, poems, and sermons in verse, as well as...
represent the authentic tradition of the Syrian Church. The different orders of liturgies used for sanctification of Church building, marriage, ordination etc. reveal that the primacy of Peter is a part of living faith of the Church.
Worship
As Psalm 119 says, a Syriac Orthodox Faithful has to pray seven times a day.They are:
- Evening or Ramsho prayer (Vespers)
- Compline prayer or Sootoro prayer
- Midnight or Lilyo prayer
- Morning or Saphro prayer (Matins)
- Third Hour or tloth sho`in prayer (Terce, 9 a.m.)
- Sixth Hour or sheth sho`in prayer (Sext, noon)
- Ninth Hour or tsha` sho'in prayer (Nones, 3 p.m.)
According to the Syriac Tradition, an ecclesiastical day starts at sunset. Also the worshiper has to face the east while worshiping. (For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man - Matthew 24:27.)
Liturgy
The Mass, which is called Holy Qurbono in Syriac Aramaic and means 'Eucharist', is celebrated on Sundays and special occasions. The Holy Eucharist consists of Gospel Reading, Bible Readings, Prayers, and Songs. During the celebration of the Eucharist, priests and deacons put on elaborate vestments which are unique to the Syriac Orthodox Church. Whether in the Eastern Mediterranean, India, Europe, the Americas or Australia, the same vestments are worn by all clergy.Apart from certain readings, all prayers are sung in the form of chants and melodies. Hundreds of melodies remain and these are preserved in the book known as Beth Gazo
Beth Gazo
Beth Gazo, ; literary "the house of treasure", is a Syriac liturgical book that contains a collection of Syriac chants and melodies. The book is considered a reference of Syriac Hymnody and without it Syriac Orthodox clerics cannot perform their liturgical duty...
. It is the key reference to Syriac Orthodox church music. Anyone who wishes to sing Syriac Orthodox music well must master the Beth Gazo
Bible in Syriac tradition
Syriac Orthodox Churches use the PeshittaPeshitta
The Peshitta is the standard version of the Bible for churches in the Syriac tradition.The Old Testament of the Peshitta was translated into Syriac from the Hebrew, probably in the 2nd century AD...
(Syriac: simple, common) as its Bible. The Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
books of this Bible were translated from Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
to Syriac between the late 1st century to the early 3rd century AD.
The Old Testament of the Peshitta
Peshitta
The Peshitta is the standard version of the Bible for churches in the Syriac tradition.The Old Testament of the Peshitta was translated into Syriac from the Hebrew, probably in the 2nd century AD...
was translated from the Hebrew, probably in the 2nd century. The New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
of the Peshitta, which originally excluded certain disputed books, had become the standard by the early 5th century, replacing two early Syriac versions of the gospels.
Vestments
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
s, the priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s, the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s, and the patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
each have different vestments.
The priest's usual dress is a black robe
Robe
A robe is a loose-fitting outer garment. A robe is distinguished from a cape or cloak by the fact that it usually has sleeves. The English word robe derives from Middle English robe , borrowed from Old French robe , itself taken from the Frankish word *rouba , and is related to the word rob...
, but in India, due to the harsh weather, priests usually wear a white robe. Bishops usually wear a black or a red robe with a red belt. They do not, however, wear a red robe in the presence of the Patriarch who wears a red robe. Bishops visiting a diocese outside their jurisdiction also wear black robes in deference to the bishop of the diocese, who alone wears red robes. Priests also wear phiro, or a cap, which he must wear for all the public prayers. Monks also wear eskimo, a hood. Priests also have ceremonial shoes which are called msone. Then there is a white robe called kutino symbolizing purity. Hamniko or Stole is wore over this white robe. Then he wears girdle called zenoro and zende meaning sleeves. If the celebrant is a bishop, he wears a masnapto, or turban
Turban
In English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
(Very different from turban worn by Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
men). A cope called phayno is worn over these vestments. Batrashil, or Pallium, is worn over Phayno by Bishops (Very similar to Hamnikho worn by priests).
Deacons
In the Syriac Orthodox tradition, different ranks among the deacons are specifically assigned with particular duties. The six ranks of deaconate are:- ‘ulmoyo (Faithful)
- Mawdyono (Confessor of Faith)
- Mzamrono (Singer)
- Quroyo (Reader)
- Afudyaqno (Sub-deacon)
- Mshamshono (Full Deacon)
Only a full deacon or Masamsono can take the censer during the Divine Liturgy
Divine Liturgy
Divine Liturgy is the common term for the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. As such, it is used in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. Armenian Christians, both of the Armenian Apostolic Church and of the Armenian Catholic Church, use the same term...
to assist the priest. However, in Malankara Church, because of the lack of deacons, altar assistants who do not have any rank of deaconhood assist the priest. The deacons in Malankara Church is allowed to wear a phiro, or a cap.
Priests
The priest is the seventh rank and is the duly one appointed to administer the sacraments. Unlike the Latin Rite of the Catholic church, a married man can be ordained to the priesthood of the Syriac Orthodox Church. There is another honorary rank among the priests that is Corepiscopos who has the privileges of "first among the priests" and are give a chain with cross and specific vestment decorations. Corepiscopos is the highest rank a married man can be elevated in the Syriac Orthodox Church.Episcopos
Episcopos is a word that means "the one who oversees". In the Syriac Orthodox Church, an episcopos is a spiritual ruler of the church. In episcopos too there are different ranks. The highest and the supreme is the PatriarchPatriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
, who is the "father of fathers". Next to him is the Maphriyono or Catholicos of India
Catholicos of India (title)
Catholicos of India is an ecclesiastical office in the Syriac Orthodox Church, the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in Kerala, India. Its holder bears the titles of Catholicos and Maphrian, and functions at an ecclesiastical rank second to the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch...
who is the head of a division of the Church. Then there are Metropolitans or Archbishops and under them there are Episcopos or Bishops.
Demography
It is estimated that the church has about 7,000,000 members globally including around 5,600,000 members in India. There are 680,000 Syriac Orthodox members in Syria and 5,000 in Turkey, 2,000 in Israel and the Palestinian Territories (500 in Jerusalem and 1,500 Bethlehem) (numbers in Iraq is unknown). In Lebanon they number up to 50,000. In the diaspora, there are approximately 80,000 members in the United States, 80,000 in Sweden, 50,000 in Germany, 15,000 in the Netherlands, and thousands of members in Brazil, Switzerland, and Austria.Institutions
The church today has two seminaries, and numerous colleges and other institutions. Among those there are several religious institutions which are noteworthy. Patriarch Aphrem I BarsoumIgnatius 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...
(†1957) established St. Aphrem's Clerical School in 1934 in Zahlé
Zahlé
Zahlé is the capital and largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 50,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon, after Beirut, Tripoli and Jounieh...
, 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...
. In 1946 it was moved to Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
, 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....
, where it provided the Church with a good selection of graduates, the first among them being Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas is the 122nd reigning Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and as such, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. Also known by his traditional episcopal name, Severios, he was enthroned as patriarch on 14 September 1980 in St. George's...
and many other of the Church's eminences. Also the church has an international Christian education centre which is a centre for religious education, knowing that youth play a vital role in the Church's future. In the year 1990 he established the Order of St. Jacob Baradaeus for nuns and renovated St. Aphrem's Clerical building in Atshanneh, Lebanon for the new order.
Monasteries
Monastic life was vigorous in the Syriac Orthodox Church and many scholars and poets were monks in these Monasteries.Ecumenical relations
The Syriac Orthodox Church is very active in ecumenical dialogues. It has been a member church of World Council of ChurchesWorld Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
since 1960 and the Patriarch, Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas is the 122nd reigning Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and as such, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. Also known by his traditional episcopal name, Severios, he was enthroned as patriarch on 14 September 1980 in St. George's...
is one of the presidents of World Council of Churches. The Syriac Orthodox Church is also actively involved in ecumenical dialogues with the Catholic Church and Eastern orthodox churches. There are common Christological and pastoral agreements with the Catholic Church. It has also been involved in the Middle East Council of Churches since 1974.
Since 1998, the heads of the three Oriental Churches in the Eastern Mediterranean i.e. the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
(Catholicate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon) meet regularly each year.
Church in India
The church in Malankara, Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church is an integral part of the Syriac Orthodox Church, with the Patriarch of AntiochPatriarch 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...
as its supreme head. The local head of the church in Malankara is the Catholicos of India, currently His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I, ordained by the Patriarch in 2002 and accountable to the Patriarch of Antioch. The church in India is an integral part of St. Thomas Christians. Some of the Knanaya
Knanaya
The Knanaya also known as Q'nanaya, Q'nai, Kanai, or Thekkumbagar, are endogamous Jews who settled in Kerala, India. Their origins are unclear and are hotly disputed by academic scholars...
Christians in India are also under the leadership of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.
The language of the Syriac Orthodox Divine Liturgy
Divine Liturgy
Divine Liturgy is the common term for the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. As such, it is used in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. Armenian Christians, both of the Armenian Apostolic Church and of the Armenian Catholic Church, use the same term...
in India is partly Syriac and partly Malayalam.
North and South America
The Syriac Orthodox Church has Archdioceses and dioceses all over the globe.In North America, there are three archdioceses in the USA, and one in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
In South America, there are two Archdioceses, one in Argentina, and the other one in Brazil.
USA
In the USA there are three archdioceses, namely the Eastern United States,and the Western United States, and the Malankara Archdiocese of the U.S.
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Western U.S. under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan.
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Eastern U.S. under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim.
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Malankara Archdiocese in North America under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho Pathickal.
| Syriac Orthodox Church | Town | Priest |
|---|---|---|
| St. Ephraim Cathedral | Burbank, CA | Rev. Fr. Louis Yacoub & Rev. Fr. John A. Saif |
| St. George | San Fernando, CA | Rev. Fr. Peter Rouboz |
| St. Thomas | Bay area (San Francisco, San Jose, Stockton), CA | V. Rev. Fr. Youhanna Salamah |
| St. Mary | Orange, CA | Rev. Fr. George Touma |
| St. Elias | Chico, CA | Rev. Fr. George Durghali |
| St. Paul | San Diego, CA | Rev. Fr. Fadi Z. Yousif Atto |
| St. Ignatius of Antioch | Portland, OR | Rev. Fr. George Yousef |
| St. Mary | Phoenix, AZ | Rev. Fr. Paul Yacoub |
| St. Ephrem | Houston, TX | - |
| St. James of Nisibis | Corpus Christi, TX | - |
| St. Julian | High Desert, CA | - |
| St. John | Las Vegas, NV | - |
| His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan Archdiocese of Western USA. | ||
| Syriac Orthodox Church | Town | Priest |
|---|---|---|
| Church of the Virgin Mary | Paramus, NJ | V. Rev. Fr. John Khoury |
| St. Mark’s Cathedral | Teaneck, NJ | Rev. Fr. Joseph Chamoun |
| Mother of God Church | Jacksonville, FL | Raban Mourice Amsih |
| Archdiocese | Teaneck, NJ | V. Rev. Fr. Saji Thomas |
| St. Gabriel | Hackensack, NJ | Rev. Fr. Aziz Hadodo |
| St. Mary | Worcester, MA | V. Rev. Raban Maroutha Hanna |
| St. John the Baptist | Villa Park, IL | V. Rev. Fr. Samer Yohanoun |
| St. Afrem | Northlake, IL | Rev. Fr. Sharbel Bcheiry |
| St. Barsawmo | Wyckoff, NJ | V. Rev. Fr. Shamoun Asmar |
| St. Peter | Long Island, NY | Rev. Fr. Gabriel Adde |
| St. George | Brooklyn, NY | Rev. Fr. Gabriel Adde |
| St. Peter & Paul | Southfield, MI | V. Rev. Fr. Edward Hanna |
| St. Matthews | Boston, MA | V. Rev. Fr. Anton Sabha |
| St. John Bar Aphtonia | Cranbury, NJ | V. Rev. Fr. Eli Shabo |
| St. Athanasius | Tarpon Springs, FL | Rev. Fr. John Kouki |
| St. Ephraim | Central Falls, RI | V. Rev. Fr. Mattias Alan. Shaltan |
| St. James of Nisibin | Corpus Christi, TX | Raban Abgar Bahko |
| St. Helen | Indianapolis, IN | Raban Jean Kawak |
| His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim Archdiocese of Eastern USA. | ||
| Syriac Orthodox Church | Town | Priest |
|---|---|---|
| Mar. Gregorios | Mesquite, TX | |
| St. Ignatius | Carrollton, TX | Rev. Fr. Mathew Kavumkal |
| St. Paul's | Havertown, PA | Rev. Fr. Joy John |
| St. Peter's | Philadelphia, PA | Rev. Fr. Jose Daniel |
| St. Peter's | Phoenix, AZ | Rev. Fr. Saji Markose |
| St. Mary's | White Plains, NY | Rev. Fr. Dileesh Alias |
| St. Mary's | Whittier, CA | Rev. Fr. Sabu Thomas |
| St. Mary's | Carrollton, TX | Rev. Fr. Thomas |
| St. Mary's | Houston, TX | Rev. Fr. Saji Kuriakose |
| St. Mary's | Milpitas, CA | Rev. Fr. Thomas Kora Pulpparayil |
| St. Mary's | Denver, CO | Rev. Fr. George Parathuvayalil |
| St. Gregorios | Tampa, FL | Rev. Fr. George Abraham |
| St. Mary's | Plantation, FL | Rev. Fr. Binu P Thomas |
| St. Ignatius Elias III | Atlanta, GA | Rev. Fr. Mathai Varkey |
| St. Mary's | Augusta, GA | Rev. Fr. Mathews Edathara |
| St. Mary's | Winder, GA | V Rev. Joseph C. Joseph |
| St. Mary's | Lilburn, GA | V Rev. Fr. Bobby Joseph |
| St. George | Chicago, IL | Rev. Fr. Mathew Kavumkal |
| St. Mary's | Des Plaines,IL | Rev. Fr. Mathew V. Karuthalackal |
| St. Peter’s | Chicago,IL | V Rev. Sakariya Thelappillil |
| St. Mary's | College Park,MD | Rev. Fr. Joy Kalapurayil |
| St. Thomas | Uniontown, MD | V Rev. Abraham O. Kadavil |
| St. Mary's | Southfield, MI | Rev. Fr. K.P. Stephen |
| St. George | Charlotte, NC | Rev. Fr. Bijo Mathew |
| St. George | Cartaret, NJ | Rev. Fr. George A. Paily |
| St. James | Livingston, NJ | Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Jacob |
| St. Mary's | Bergenfield, NJ | Rev. Fr. George A. Paily |
| St. Mary's | Lynbrook, NY | Rev. Dr. Varghese P. Manikat |
| St. Mary's | Houston ,TX | Rev. Fr. Saji Kuriyakose |
| St .Peter's | Houston ,TX | Rev. Fr. Shinoj. Joseph |
| St. Peter and St. Paul | Westbury, NY | Rev. Fr. Isaac Paily |
| St. George | Bethany, OK | Rev. Fr. Saju George |
| St. Basil's | Boston, MA | Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Jacob |
| His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho Pathickal Malankara Archdiocese of North America. | ||
Canada
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Canada under the spiritual guidance and direction Eminence Mor Athanasius Elia Bahi.
| Syriac Orthodox Church | City | Priest |
|---|---|---|
| St. Jacques | Montreal, P.Q. | Rev. Fr. Kamil Ishak |
| St. Barsaumo | Toronto, Ont. | V. Rev. Fr. Estephanos Issa |
| St. Behnam | Mississauga, Ont. | V. Rev. Fr. Yacoub Yacoub |
| St. Ephrem | Sherbrooke, P.Q. | V. Rev. Fr. Gabi Sarkis |
| St. Mark | Hamilton, Ont. | V. Rev. Fr. Youhanna Ishak |
| His Eminence Mor Athanasius Elia Bahi Archdiocese of Canada. | ||
South America
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Argentina under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Nicholovos Matti Abd Alahad.
- Raban and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Brazil under the spiritual guidance and direction of Gabriel Dahho.
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Europe
The Syriac Orthodox Church in Europe has seven Archdioceses.In the north of Europe there are two Archdioceses, while Central Europe and the Benelux Countries have five Archdioceses.
Scandinavia
- Metropolitan for the Archdiocese of Sweden & Scandinavia under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Julius Abdulahad Gallo Shabo.
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Sweden under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Dioskoros Benyamen Atas.
| Syriac Orthodox Church | Town | Priest |
|---|---|---|
| St. Georgis | Norsborg/Stockholm | C. Episk. George Chachan & C. Episk. Gabriel Aydin |
| St. Maria | Tumba/Stockholm | C. Episk. Naaman Oussi |
| St. Petrus | Hallonbergen/Stockholm | C. Episk. Munir Barbar |
| St. Charbel | Spånga/Stockholm | Fr. Barsawm Acar |
| St. Johannes | Märsta/Stockholm | Fr. Bassil Zakaria |
| St. Jacob of Nsibin Cathedral | Södertälje | C. Episk. Gabriel Barqasho & C. Episk Melki Yilmaz |
| St. Gabriel | Södertälje | Fr. Ayoub Isteifan |
| - | Uppsala | Raban George Gharzani |
| St. Eliyo | Västerås | Fr. Kassis Moris Elias |
| St. Maria | Eskilstuna | Fr. Moussa Hanna |
| St. Maria | Linköping | Fr. George Malki |
| St. Abrohom | Jönköping | Fr. Barsawm Zeren |
| St. Kuryakus | Kolmården/Norrköping | Fr. Betrus Abada |
| St. Tomas | Linköping | Fr. Afrem Lahod |
| St. Johannes | Skövde | Raban Raboula Bassam Soma |
| St. Malke | Angered/Göteborg | Fr. Kerim Sydby |
| St. Gabriel | Västra Frölunda/Göteborg | Fr. Abrohom Garis |
| St. Aho | Örebro | Fr. Ablahad Dag |
| His Eminence Mor Julius Abdulahad Gallo Shabo Archdiocese of Sweden & Scandinavia. | ||
! Syriac Orthodox Church >
| St. Petrus & St. Paulus
| St. Maria
| St. Behnam & St. Matai
| St. Shemon Dzeite
| St. Dimet
| St. Maria
| St. -
| St. Johannes
| St. Georgis
| St. Markus
| St. -
| St. Maria
| St. Kyriakos
| St. Maria
| St. Matti & St. Behnan
| St. Johannes
| St. Adai
| St. Abay
| St. Touma
| St. Afrem Cathedral
| St. Petrus & Paulus
| St. Koriakos & St. Adai
| St. Maria
Central Europe
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of the Netherlands under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Polycarpus Eugene Aydin.
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Switzerlands & Austria under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Dionysius Isa Gürbüz.
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Belgium, Luxembourg & France under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Severios Hazail Soumi.
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of Germany under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Julius Hanna Aydin.
- Metropolitan and Patriarchal Vicarate for the Archdiocese of the United Kingdom under the spiritual guidance and direction of His Eminence Mor Athanasius Touma Dakkama.
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Australia
There is a Patriarchal Vicarate of Australia and New Zealand under the spiritual guidance and direction ofHis Eminence Mor Malatius Malki Malki.
| Syriac Orthodox Church | Town | Priest |
|---|---|---|
| St. Ephraim | Lidcombe/Sydney Aus | V. Rev. Fr. Zechariah Zeytoun |
| St. Gabriel | Croydon/Sydney Aus | V. Rev. Fr. Malki Matti Yousef |
| St. Malke | Greenacre/Sydney Aus | Priestless |
| St. Thomas | Unanderra/Sydney Aus | Rev. Fr. Abdelahad Zeytoun |
| St. Yacoub | Yourke/Melbourne Aus | Rev. Fr. Aphrem Afram |
| St. Aphrem | Reservoir/Melbourne Aus | V. Rev. Fr. Iskandar Aphrem |
| St. Ephraim | Riverton/Perth Aus | V. Rev. Fr. Boutros Touma Issa |
| - | Birkenhead/Auckland Nzl | Vacant (Former- Bishope Mosa) |
| His Eminence Mor Malatius Malki Malki Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand. | ||
Other churches connected with Antioch
Both it and the ChalcedonianChalcedonian
Chalcedonian describes churches and theologians which accept the definition given at the Council of Chalcedon of how the divine and human relate in the person of Jesus Christ...
Antiochian Orthodox Church
Antiochian Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, also known as the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East and the Antiochian Orthodox Church , is an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church within the wider communion of Orthodox Christianity...
claim to be the sole legitimate church of Antioch
Church of Antioch
The Church of Antioch is one of the five major churches that composed the Christian Church before the East-West Schism.-History:...
and successor there of the Apostle St. Peter. There are also three Eastern Catholic Churches claiming the Patriarchate: the Syriac Catholic Church
Syriac Catholic Church
The Syriac Catholic Church is a Christian church in the Levant having practices and rites in common with the Syriac Orthodox Church. They are one of the Eastern Catholic Churches following the Antiochene rite, the Syriac tradition of Antioch, along with the Maronites and Syro-Malankara Christians...
, the Maronite Catholic Church, and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See as part of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Melkites, Byzantine Rite Catholics of mixed Eastern Mediterranean and Greek origin, trace their history to the early Christians of Antioch, Syria, of...
.
See also
- Arameans
- Aramean Democratic Organization
- Dioceses of the Syrian Orthodox ChurchDioceses of the Syrian Orthodox ChurchIn the period of its greatest expansion, in the tenth century, the Syrian Orthodox Church had around 20 metropolitan dioceses and a little over a hundred suffragan dioceses. By the seventeenth century only 20 dioceses remained, reduced in the twentieth century to 10...
- List of Orthodox Churches
- Assyrian/Syriac people
- List of Patriarchs of Antioch — to 518
- List of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch — list from 518
- Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church (Church in India)
- Saint Thomas ChristiansSaint Thomas ChristiansThe Saint Thomas Christians are an ancient body of Christians from Kerala, India, who trace their origins to the evangelical activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are also known as "Nasranis" because they are followers of "Jesus of Nazareth". The term "Nasrani" is still used by St...
(Syrian Malabar NasraniSyrian Malabar NasraniThe Syrian Malabar Nasrani people, also known as Saint Thomas Christians, "'Nasrani Mappila'" and Nasranis, are an ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India, adhering to the various churches of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition...
)
Prelates
- Jacob BaradaeusJacob BaradaeusJacob Baradaeus was Bishop of Edessa from 543 until his death. One of the most important figures in the history of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Oriental Orthodox churches generally, he was a defender of the Monophysite movement in a time when its strength was declining...
- Ignatius Zakka I IwasIgnatius Zakka I IwasIgnatius Zakka I Iwas is the 122nd reigning Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and as such, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. Also known by his traditional episcopal name, Severios, he was enthroned as patriarch on 14 September 1980 in St. George's...
- Baselios Thomas I
- Ignatius Afram I BarsoumIgnatius Afram I BarsoumIgnatius 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...
- Ignatius Jacob IIIIgnatius Jacob IIIMor Ignatius Jacob III was the 121st Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He was very skilled in and knowledgeable in Syriac sacral music or Beth Gazo...
- Ignatius Elias IIIIgnatius Elias IIIMor Ignatius Elias III was the 119th Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch from 1917 to 1932. He died and is buried at the monastery of Manjanikkara Dayara in Kerala, India, where there is a considerable number of Syriac Orthodox Christians...
External links
- Official Site of Syriac Orthodox Church
- Syriac Orthodox Church in Canada
- Mor Aphrem Monastery
- Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America
- Syriac Orthodox Church in Ireland
- Margonitho: Syriac Orthodox Resources
- Article on Syrian Orthodox Church on CNEWA website
Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church
- Jacobite Syrian Church
- Malankara Syriac Christian Resources
- News Site Of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
- Malankara Vision: TV Of Jacobite Syrian Church
- Malankarese Giacobita siriano Chiesa
- Jacobite Online: Online Community of Jacobite Syrian Church
- Radio Malankara: Radio of Jacobite Syrian Church
Media