The Franks and the Syrian Christians
The Franks and the Syrian Christians Dr. Matti Moosa The Franks’ interference in the affairs of the Syrian Church seriously weakened their ability to keep the allegiance of the native population in Edessa and elsewhere. This interference was particularly evident in the case of Abu Ghalib bar Sabuni, brother of Bishop Sa’id bar Sabuni, which alienated the Syrians and turned them against the Franks. Abu Ghalib, a monk from the Arnish Monastery near Kesum and Ra’ban, was chosen as bishop of Edessa by Patriarch Abu al-Faraj Athanasius VI in 1101 and took the name Basilius at his ordination....
Read MoreThe Christians Under Turkish Rule
The Christians Under Turkish Rule Dr. Matti Moosa More than any other Muslim writer, Ibn al-Athir has discussed the character and achievements of Nur al-Din Zangi, who he says died from al-khawaniq (angina) in 1173-74.[46] Ibn al-Athir says he read the history of the rulers before and after Islam and found no sovereign except al-Khulafa al-Rashidun (the Rightly Guided Caliphs) and the Umayyad Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (reigned 717-720) to be more praiseworthy for his conduct, justice, and fairness than al-Malik al-Adil Nur al-Din. He lauds Nur al-Din for his indifference to worldly things...
Read MoreSUMERIAN AND BABYLONIAN SCIENCE
SUMERIAN AND BABYLONIAN SCIENCE 1. THE SUMERIAN SCIENCE OF LISTS AS A SCIENCE OF ORDER Source: Von Soden, Wolfram (1985) Chapter 11 – Sumerian and Babylonian Science. In: The Ancient Orient – an introduction to the Study of the Ancient Near East. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Translated by Donald G. Schley. Soon after the invention of their writing system, the Sumerians began to compile smaller lists of cuneiform signs. With a system of word signs, sign lists are simultaneously word lists, having even a certain somewhat topical material...
Read MoreBardesan, Dialogue on Fate / The Book of the Laws of the Countries
This text was transcribed by Roger Pearse, Ipswich, UK A FEW days ago we went up to visit Shemashgram,2 our brother. And Bardesan came and found us there; and when he had felt him, and seen that he was well, he asked us, “What were you talking about, for I heard your voice from without as I was coming in?” For he was accustomed, whenever he found us talking about any thing before him, to ask us, “What were you saying?” that he might converse with us about it. We therefore said to him,” This Avida was saying to us: ‘That if God he one, as you say, and He...
Read MoreChristianity in Edessa and the Syriac-Speaking World: Mani, Bar Daysan and Ephraem; The Struggle for Allegiance on the Aramean Frontier by Sidney Griffith
I Edessa and the Syriac Language In Late Antiquity the geographical area to the east of Antioch, stretching from the northern reaches of the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers westward almost to the Mediterranean sea, and southward to the environs of Damascus, was often called by the local inhabitants, Aram. The name is that of the biblical son of Shem, the son of Noah, from whom the Christian inhabitants of the area in later times derived their legendary ancestry (Genesis 10:22-23).1 At some point after the Seleucids gained power in the area in the fourth century before the...
Read MoreTHE GREAT PERSECUTION – SAMUEH HUGH MOFFETT
( 340 – 401 ) “[ Shapur II ] fell into a Violent rage [ against Shim’un ], gnashed his teeth, and stuch his hands together, saying: Shimun wants to arouse his disciples and his people to rebel against my Empire. He wants to make them slaves of Caesar who, has the same religion as they have: that is why he disobeys my orders” – Bedjan, Acts of the Martyrs and Saints, 2:143. Translated by W . G . Young-Hand book, 278 The Great Persecution * Samuel Hugh Moffett APHRAHAT’S ninth Demonstration is called “On Persecution.” It draws attention to a bitter turn of...
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