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Post by admin on Sept 7, 2012 13:33:05 GMT 2
I start this thread not only with the intention of finding out more about Orthodoxy in other countries, but also with the intention of finding out more about those respective countries - things that aren't necessary related to Orthodoxy.
So this thread is also a cultural one, as well as a religious one.
What I want from this thread: please post here info related to your countries; their culture and history; their relationship with Christianity and Orthodoxy; their specificities; interesting stuff.
I shall start a sketch, just to make you understand better what I mean.
I was born and I live in Romania. I am interested in Greek Orthodoxy and history, as well as in culture and stories.
First of all, let me tell you something about Romania.
The Romanian people consider themselves descendants of the Dacians that lived in this space and the Roman conquerors. (historical research proved that also other people brought their contribution to the formation of modern day Romanians, such as the Cumans and the Slavs). The space we are talking about comprises the territories inside the Carpathian Arch (the Transylvanian Basin), in the West until the River Tisa, in the East until the Dniester, in the North, until the Ukrainian Carpathians, and in the South until the Balkan Range - this is the large space in which the Dacians, as well as the Thracians, were spread.
The Romanian Orthodoxy traces its origins from the mission of Saints Apostles Andrew and Philip in Scythia Minor (modern day Dobrogea), and their disciples; what it is known for sure, is that the Romanian people was born Christian, and that they weren't baptised by force, such as the Russain people. There are several historical and archaeological testimonies about this.
The Romanian Orthodoxy and the Romanian states (especially Moldavia and Wallachia, since Transylvania was incorporated to Catholic Hungary) rise immedaitely after the Fall of Constantinople; this is why the history notes that many Ecumenical Patriarchs and Patriarchs of the Tetrarchy (Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch) came to Wallachia and Moldavia for aids, and remained here sometimes years at a time. The Romanian rulers (such as Neagoe Basarab, Şerban Cantacuzino and others) helped all the Orthodox peoples under the Ottoman Yoke (Athos, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Sinai, Meteora, Georgia etc.), in such a way that Nicolae Iorga, the most important Romanian historian, reached the conclusion that the Romanian space was Byzance apres Byzance, the successor of the Christian Orthodox City. (of course that all the free medieval Orthodox states were its successor - but the Romanian states were a part of the free Orthodox world, beside Russia).
The Romanian Orthodoxy always cultivated peace with the neighbours and the non-Orthodox Oriental Christians. Antim Ivireanul, the Wallachian hierarch who introduced the Romanian language in the Orthodox cult, was, in fact, from Iviria (modern day Georgia). In Romania lies the oldest, still active, Armenian monastery in Europe, Hagigadar, which recently celebrated 500 years of existence. During the medieval times, the Romanian lands were a home for many beliefs and religios, such as Armenians, Russians, Bulgarians, Greeks (even today, there is an important community of Greeks in Galaţi, for instance), Jews (the Jews wanted to create the New Israel using territories from Moldavia and Basarabia), Hussites, Catholics and many more (Staroverts, "Lipovenians" - in Romanian lipoveni).
So the Romanian people can say that they are a very hospitable people.
A modern day testimony is the fact that Orthodoxy Cognate, a news portal from Kerala (as far as I found out), in India, relays news about the Romanian Patriarchate. Daniel, our Coptic friend, has a high consideration on the Romanian Patriarchate, because it, the Patriarchate, cultivated good relations with the Oriental Orthodox peoples.
Now, regarding the Greek Orthodoxy and the Greek people and nation, I would like to find out more about the stories related to Byzantium. I found out recently (a few years ago) about a legend, or maybe just a story, who says that, when the time comes for the Greeks to reconquer Constantinople, the Marble Emperor (o marmaromenos vasilias), which they identify with Constantine XI Palaiologos Dragases (or Dragash, since he was in part Serbian), shall rise from his grave and shall lead the Christians in battle, to reconquer the Red Apple (Kokkini Milia) - Istanbul - from the Turks; it will be in those times that the first Liturgy shall be served in Agia Sophia, since 1453.
I'm interested in the origins of this story, and how the story developed; if there are other similar stories in Greece and in the Orthodox world. I'm interested in other stories from Greece.
And I would very much like to be there, when the first Liturgy shall be served in Agia Sophia, after 1453! Or after the last one was served, after 1453! May God keep me until then!
So, I'm waiting for other posts on the "Orthodoxy and Nations" theme.
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greekpineapple
Monastic
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Posts: 12
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Post by greekpineapple on Sept 10, 2012 4:34:35 GMT 2
Well, as you guys know, I'm from the United States (though I'm of Greek descent obviously), so our first exposure to Orthodoxy was from the Russians.
The first Russians came here around the 17th century as fur traders; they weren't missionaries or colonists, they just wanted to make a quick buck. The fur traders landed on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska and traded with the natives, who were eager to trade animal pelts for these cheap tiny blue beads, which they found absolutely fascinating. While trading, though, the Russians managed to integrate some of their culture and Religion in the natives (along with marrying some of them), so by the time the real Russian missionaries came many decades later, most people in the villages they visited were already Orthodox and very pious. Actually, some saints come from the Western US, such as Saint Herman of Alaska, St. Innocent of Alaska, and St. Peter the Aleut.
Orthodoxy didn't come to the Eastern US, however, until the early 20th century, with the break out of the Balkan Wars and the World Wars. Many immigrants came to America from these countries to escape war, move in with family that had already made it here, or to establish a new life. Most immigrants came to the US through Ellis Island in New York, as my great-grandparents did, and then from there either stayed in New York City or migrated to other cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, ect. where they would work in factories or own restaurants, while at the same time building wonderful churches in their own little ehtnic neighborhoods and establishing a sweet but subtle Orthodox heritage in the US.
As a side note (sorry for rambling), I would like to add that I did indeed visit Ellis Island over the summer, and I was speechless when I entered the official processing hall, where hundreds of immigrants would be packed in at one time, waiting for their official document. It means so much to me that my grandparents and great-grandparents came to the US so that I could live a better life and that I could practice my Christianity freely and always give thanks to God for the blessings I have in America that I know I may not get in other nations.
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Post by simplyorthodox on Sept 10, 2012 11:29:36 GMT 2
The legend of the Marble Emperror is very popular among the Greeks, especially the ones of the previous generations. Grandfathers used to tell this story to their grandchildren, and that's how it survived. It is a very beloved one, because Greeks always wanted to take the Constantinople back and the Hagia Sophia to be Greek Orthodox again.
All I know about how this lefend started is that it became to spread right after the Fall of the Constantinople. It became to spread simply because the people could not believe that such an important for us building, Hagia Sophia, had fallen into Muslim hands. Since then, many greek songs (both old and contemporary) are written about the figure of the Marble King.
Some elders of Orthodoxy -If I am not mistaken especially Elder Paisios- say that Constantinople will be Greek again and Hagia Sophia will be the glorious Orthodox Church of the past. From what I have heard, some elders have mentioned that the Marble King is Saint John Vatagis that will wake up again in the future. But, to tell you the truth, I don't know where the absolute truth is: namely, if this is true or if the prophesies of the Athonite Elders are mixed with some parts of the legend.
However, all I have to say is that this legend is the favourite of all the Greeks, including myself, because it's a part of our tradition, a part of us.
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Post by admin on Sept 10, 2012 12:27:23 GMT 2
simplyorthodox: Are there any clues as for when the reconquest of Constantinople shall happen? Even unclear ones? And should we trust the prophecies of the Elders? Because I know you said, at one point, that not 100% of their prophecies should be believed, because they also make mistakes. And, again, should we believe their prophecies, especially if correlated with legends (the definition of the legend is a historic happening, mixed with fabulous elements, so not 100% believeable)? Isn't the fabulous/mistake element just too high in these stories? I want to believe, but I have human doubts. ;-)
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elionberger
Hermit
Orthodox Church of Korea
Catechumen
Posts: 65
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Post by elionberger on Sept 10, 2012 12:42:05 GMT 2
I am currently learning about the history of Orthodoxy in Korea and about Korean history in general. A Russian missonary first came to Korea in 1899 and the first divine liturgy was celebrated in 1900 on February 17. So, there is just over 112 years of Orthodoxy here. Because of all the wars between Korea and Japan, the civil war with the North, and general unrest of the Korean population during this century, there was a Korean diaspora in need of guidance. The Russian church had to step back because of political relations with Japan. Constantinople stepped in and helped. From His Eminence Metropolitan of Korea Ambrosios' history: In 1950, as we know, the Korean War broke out (1950-1953). Korean Orthodox believers, like most of their compatriots, suffered badly. Most of them took refuge in the City of Pusan and the southern districts of the country. So the Orthodox congregation dispersed. During this time of trial, important spiritual and material help was offered to the Orthodox faithful by the Greek Expeditionary Force (EK.S.E.) to Korea (1950-1955), who participated in the peacekeeping force of the UN, especially the military chaplains who accompanied the Greek Forces for the purpose of meeting the soldiers' liturgical needs. From my conversations with my spiritual father, Father Daniel Na, the Anglican church help the Orthodox out during this time by providing shelter, food, and other amenities as well as space to worship. The third ordained Korean priest, Fr. Alexei, was asked by the North Koreans to "help with translation" and was never seen again. Sister Athanasia, a Greek nun who is presently with us helping His Eminence at the St. Nicholas parish in Seoul, told me that he is the first Korean martyr. Possibly, others followed in the chaos of the war. There are a few veterans at my parish in Incheon, St. Paul's, who fought in the war and are alive to talk about it. One served in the first tour. Another gentleman is a catechumen who lost his arm in battle. He is currently working on an icon depticting the baptism of Christ. (Pics and stories on my blog if you want to see . . ) After the war, the Orthodox were scattered and had no one to shepherd them. His Eminence summarizes the following years thus: 1951 The first chaplain who came in contact with the Orthodox Koreans was Archimandrite Hariton Symeonides (later Bishop of Polyani and Kilkis). Father Hariton Symeonides tried to gather the scattered Flock due to the Korean War.
1953 ~ 1954 Great assistance to the Orthodox congregation was offered by the Greek chaplain Archimandrite Andrew Chalkiopoulos. On his initiative, the ruined church of St. Nicholas in Seoul was renovated through a donating campaign he himself conducted among the Greek soldiers.
1954 Father Andrew Chalkiopoulos, wished to leave a Korean pastor at the church of St. Nicholas before his departure. The Orthodox Community had proposed as a candidate Priest Boris Moon (Moom Yi-Han 1910-1977), who was ordained Deacon and Priest in Japan by the Archbishop of Tokyo Irenaeos, who was the closest Orthodox Bishop in the region. Because of the war and the hostile relations between Korea and Japan during that period, no one was allowed to exit the country, especially travels to Japan. Fr. Andrew Chalkiopoulos managed to obtain the necessary permission for Boris Moon's trip to Japan for his ordination with the help of the American Army. Disguised as a black American soldier, Boris Moon was included in the group of American Marines who were visiting Japan at the time. After his ordination to Priesthood, he returned to Korea through the same means and served the Church faithfully until his repose on September 14th, 1977.
1954 ~ 1955 A third Greek military priest, Archimandrite Daniel of the Monastery of Iviron of the Holy Mountain, offered his services to the Orthodox Community in Korea.
After the war the church was so fractured and the relations between Japan so hurt that it bore a serious problem. It had no jurisdiction and was left to float about in the aftermath of the war. It decided to plea to Constantinople and in 1955 the Patriarchate of Constantinople agreed. Since then, the church has been under this jurisdiction. At first, the church was under the Archdiocese of Australia then North and South America. Some years later, in 1970, "the Holy Metropolis of New Zealand was established by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the newly elected Bishop of New Zealand Dionysios (Psachas) was named Exarch of Korea." 1975 On December 1st, Archimandrite Sotirios Trambas [later Bishop of Zilon (1993-2004), later first Metropolitan of Korea (2004-2008) and now Bishop of Pisidia] arrived in Korea from the Archdiocese of Athens in response to a request by the Orthodox Community in Seoul.
His Eminence Archbishop of New Zealand and Exarch of Korea Dionysios through the close co-operation with Father Sotirios Trambas, initially as Archimandrite and later as an assistant Bishop of Zilon, they managed to accomplish together a really wonderful missionary work, which is unprecedented in scope and quality. This work was not limited only to Korea, but from 1980 onwards it was extended to South-East Asia (India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand). These areas were designated as being under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan of New Zealand. Many wonderful works started to happen after this. The construction of St. Nicholas in Seoul and other parishes in Korea. The flock was being gathered. During this time, my spiritual father, Fr. Daniel Na was ordained in 1980. In 1995, His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited Korea for the first time and help to lay the foundation stone of the Chapel St Maximos the Greek, the Main Hall, boarding houses and the Theological Seminary at St. Nicholas in Seoul. His All Holiness made a second visit in 2000 to celebrate 100 years of Orthodoxy in Korea. Many great things are continuing to happen here in Orthodoxy. I have been only in the church as a catechumen for about six months now. You can read a detailed account of the history written by His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios here: www.orthodox.or.kr/html/include2.php?inc=ehin_01_03I pulled the above quotations from his history. He does a such a superb job at documenting everything from the beginning. In North Korea is there is one Russian Orthodox church in Pyongyang, the capital. According to Fr. Daniel, Kim Jong Il "asked" one of his foreign ministers to go to Moscow to be ordained and start the church. The Russian church helped North Korea to build the parish and it mainly serves for foreign dignitaries but much else is unknown. I know the Protestant church, namely the Presbyterians, were here a bit before the Orthodox church and there is a widespread growth of Protestant churches everywhere in Korea. You cannot go a single block anywhere without seeing a church. There are at least two churches on every block. Because the Korean culture is so family and community oriented, the Protestant faith took hold and spread like wildfire. I do not know too much detail on the history, though. Buddhism is the other dominant religion here. There is a temple on every mountain. I walk to one often to get my spring water and take in the nature there. The temples are beautiful. There is much much more to the Korean culture that I am still learning about. So, if any of you have any questions please ask and I'll do my best to find the answer. +In Christ, Erik |
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Post by JamesfromTA on Sept 12, 2012 19:04:55 GMT 2
The British are sort of a mixed bunch. We descend from the Celts/ Gaels (though a lot of British people, particularly English people won't have a direct ancestry) however we have been invaded many times; from the Anglo's to the Vikings, the Romans to the French. Parts of Britain were even invaded by the Nazi's in WW2 (Channel Islands). Our enemy for many years was the French alongside the Spanish but the Portuguese have usually always had our backs. We got invaded a lot but we have also done a lot of invading ourselves (we did have 1/4 of the surface of the Earth at one point...as the old adage goes, the sun never sets on the British Empire).
We have a love for fish and chips as well as a curry on a Saturday night. We love sports such as Rugby and Football (NOT "soccer"; very important fact) and a roast dinner on a Sunday is a necessity. We have a lot of things to be proud of, hosting the Olympics three times, the Industrial and Agricultural revolutions which the world benefited from (though with pollution that is questionable), the NHS etc.. At the same time we have some things not so wonderful such as the highest teen pregnancy rate in Europe, being rubbish at Eurovision, unleashing the Beckhams on the world etc. Our weather is notoriously rubbish all year round.
Onto Christianity...
Christianity first came here in the first few centuries.St. Joseph of Arimathea himself came here in the 1st century and when he planted his staff into the earth at Glastonbury it became a rose bush. The bush only blooms around Paskha and Christmas and is apparently of Middle Eastern origin. It was destroyed by the protestant Puritans but it was saved because someone planted clippings taken from it.
There are lots of Saints from the British Isles; St. Patrick, St. David, St. Sidwell, St. Alban etc. Canterbury was also really important and it still is. Britain would have been Orthodox until 1054 when the Bishop of Rome fell into schism, however British Christianity alongside the rest of the Latin West began to move away from Orthodoxy to Frankish Christianity in 792AD. From 1054 Britain was Roman Catholic.
I didn't realise this but dissidence from the Bishop of Rome in Britain began in the 14th century. John Wycliffe who was an early reformer actually stated that "true faith was preserved in the East "among the Greeks". Then later on King Henry VIII who had previously been heralded as "Defender of the faith" by the Bishop of Rome fell into their bad books. He wanted to divorce his wife because she did not give birth a male heir to the throne. Apparently the Bishop of Rome could have granted a dispensation to him but because of the Protestant reformation with Luther taking hold and due to the circumstances of King Henry VIII's marriage doing so would have caused a lot of trouble for the Papacy...so he said no and the Anglican Communion was born.
Christianity in England, whilst not being in communion with the Bishop of Rome, held on to the Catholicity...when Queen Mary came to power she went as far as burning non-Catholics at the stake. When she died and Queen Elizabeth I took over British Christianity (other than in places like Ireland) took on many things of the reformation which is why the Anglican Communion is neither Protestant nor Catholic but has elements of both.
Britain is still not Orthodox and it probably won't be unless the Archbishop of Canterbury goes for reunion with the Church though because of all the changes (such as there being no unified view on whether Holy Communion is a "mere symbol" or not) I doubt it will happen in my lifetime unless by some miracle. It would take a really tough Archbishop to really go for it, though considering the "forward in faith" movement within Anglicanism (the Anglo-Catholic side) is picking up it might not be such an impossibility. The other thing is that atheism is on the rise here and less people are attending their parishes.
I'm not too sure about how but I am guessing that Orthodoxy is making a return to Britain in different ways, mainly through immigrants and others. I know that Anthony of Sourozh helped to build a diocese of the Patriarchate of Moscow in Britain as have the Greeks and the Copts. Orthodoxy is on its way back to Britain, just slowly!
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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Sept 12, 2012 22:08:06 GMT 2
I'd like to just add to James' post if that is OK.
Britain is an odd ball as it is as far from Constantinople as the Western Empire stretched yet adopted more eastern practices than western in the Early Christian Era due to it being a major trading port for metals.
The first Bishop of Britain was Traditionally Aristobolos of the Seventy, who is mentioned in the writings of Hippolytus of Rome as the Apostle sent to Britain. Whether he was Martyred or died peacefully in Britain is still disputed (Rome says Martyr, Orthodox say peacefully) but Christianity had a small community here from that time.
For around 200 years after that there was not much growth in the community but it was through Ireland and South West England's trade with the Greek and Egyptian communities in the Empire that Early writings reached the Islands. In the fourth Century there is much evidence of Anchorites and other monastics visiting Southern ireland, which explains the great influence of Eastern Monastic and number of Eastern style Sketes and Coenobitic (community) monasteries in the area. Even some areas of Ireland have names meaning "Desert of (insert Monk's name)" since they wished to experience the Monastic ideal of Anthony. Other Monks in the British Isles headed to sea and adopted the Atlantic ocean as their desert. The Famous voyager Saint Brendan travelled as far as Iceland to leave the world based on the life of Anthony.
On Great Britain there is evidence of links between the Hellenic world and he britons too, with monks learning Greek as well as Latin, and Coptic Binding (common in the Eastern Empire, less so in the west) Psalters being found in Marshes and in Roman sites. The indigenous Church there was generally linked to the rest of the Empire and picked up practices but very little of the overall structure of the Imperial Church on Minland Europe or the East.
Though Ecclesiastically the Isles were purely Roman, some of the Early Bishops in Britain were Greeks and Syrians. The famous Bishop Theodore, who was sent by Rome to deal with rebellion against the Roman papacy (ironically), was from Cilicia. He was a Syrian Armenian. He called the Synod of Hertford which established the Western dating for Easter, Monastic practice and general religious practices of the West in Britain. As well as him, many English Saints (Saint Ives for Example) were from the East, though after Theodore, Western practice became the most established.
It was only with the Norman invasion that the indigeous Church became close to non-existent. When he marched on the the Isles, William marched under the Roman Papal Banner, and when he took the Isles from Harold he began a great reordering of the Church, creating a purely Roman structure. This did not stop Eastern Bishops from visiting, such as a known group of Armenian Monks that came to Britain to escape the Mongols in the late middle ages. The last remnants of the indigenous (Eastern Style) Church were in Scotland in the 14th Centuries.
The first modern Orthodox community was the Russians, whose Embassy established a Diocese in london in the early 1700's. This later became the Diocese of Sourozh under Metropolitan Anthony Bloom. This community usually caters to British converts in the modern day more than Russian Nationals. The first Greek community was established as the Archdiocese of Thyateria in the 1920's and since then Serbian, Romanian, Georgian and practically eevry other Orthodox community has established a Diocese and Cathedral in London.
The earliest OO community was founded by the Monk Jules Ferrette, a French Born Syriac Monastic, who was consecrated Bishop of Iona in 1866 and founded the Catholic Apostolic Church of the West under the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate in the same year. This later became the British Orthodox Church and joined the Coptic Patriarchate a few decades ago. The last 50 years have also seen the Establishment of Ethiopian, Eritrean, Syriac, Armenian and Indian Orthodox communities in the UK.
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Post by simplyorthodox on Sept 13, 2012 21:26:44 GMT 2
simplyorthodox: Are there any clues as for when the reconquest of Constantinople shall happen? Even unclear ones? And should we trust the prophecies of the Elders? Because I know you said, at one point, that not 100% of their prophecies should be believed, because they also make mistakes. And, again, should we believe their prophecies, especially if correlated with legends (the definition of the legend is a historic happening, mixed with fabulous elements, so not 100% believeable)? Isn't the fabulous/mistake element just too high in these stories? I want to believe, but I have human doubts. ;-) About the reconquest, I don't remember to have read anything relating to when it will happen. Me personally believe and trust the prophesies of the elders, but I don't guide my life according to them (the prophecies) but according to their teachings. I like to hear the prophesies, but nothing more. |
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Suryoyo
Hermit
Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch
Posts: 51
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Post by Suryoyo on Sept 14, 2012 9:26:55 GMT 2
Can I write about the "Syriac nation" (even though we don't have our own country anymore)?
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elionberger
Hermit
Orthodox Church of Korea
Catechumen
Posts: 65
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Post by elionberger on Sept 14, 2012 11:54:47 GMT 2
Suryoyo,
I say, "Absolutely"!! Why not? In the United States, shamefully, there are many "nations" of the Native Americans: The Navajo nation is one, Blackfeet nation, etc.
So, I agree with the definition you quoted and I am very interested in learning about the Syriac Nation.
It has been very interesting to read everybody's history of their current place. I have been learning so much from all of you!
Cheers,
-erik
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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Sept 14, 2012 20:22:04 GMT 2
Can I write about the "Syriac nation" (even though we don't have our own country anymore)? please do! |
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Suryoyo
Hermit
Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch
Posts: 51
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Post by Suryoyo on Sept 19, 2012 9:36:20 GMT 2
We Syriacs consider ourselves the descendants of either the ancient Arameans or Assyrians of the fertile crescent (this has caused some issues between adherents of the Syriac Orthodox Church). About Christianity and it's start among us we have the Legend of our King Abgar of Edessa (he is a saint in our Church as well) which some of you may know about. "The legend tells that Abgar, king of Edessa, afflicted with an incurable sickness, had heard the fame of the power and miracles of Jesus and wrote to him, acknowledging his divinity, craving his help, and offering him asylum in his own residence; the tradition states that Jesus wrote a letter declining to go, but promising that after his ascension, he would send one of his disciples, endowed with his power. The 4th century church historian Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, records a tradition concerning a correspondence on this occasion, exchanged between Abgar of Edessa and Jesus. Eusebius was convinced that the original letters, written in Syriac (Aramaic), were kept in the archives of Edessa." There is also a cloth or painting (the mandylion) involved which some today think has something to do with the Turin Shroud. Anyway, Syriac is the Aramaic dialect of Edessa. The foremost Syriac authority Professor Sebastian Brock writes (in "The Hidden Pearl")... "it is very likely that Christianity did reach Edessa at an early date, for otherwise it would be difficult to explain how Syriac, the Edessene dialect of Aramaic, so quickly became the literary language of Aramaic-speaking Christianity in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, and beyond the further east still, in the Persian empire as well." "Although the origins of Syriac Christianity are clouded in obscurity owing a lack of reliable historical sources, it was clearly well-established over a wide area by the early third century, to judge by the evidence of the Book of the Laws of the Countries, attributed to Bardaisan (died in 222). In the course of his argument against determinism Bardaisan lists a whole number of different regions in both the East and the West where Christian communities were to be found." www.sage.edu/faculty/salomd/ld/Edessa.htm"What is clear is that by the time of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus (193-211) there was a large enough community of Christians in Edessa to support a church building in the city. The Chronicle of Edessa records the fact that in the year 201AD the church of the Christians was destroyed by a flood." Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholic, Maronite, Ancient/Assyrian Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic, and to some degree Melkite Orthodox and Melkite Catholic are part of Syriac Christianity. The Melkites definitely used Syriac until quite recently... "Until the 17th century Syriac was one of the languages of Chalcedonian patriarchate of Antioch, and that's often forgotten." Listen especially at 3:00 and forward (especially elionberger since it's about the natures things). |
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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Feb 21, 2013 22:48:58 GMT 2
Very interesting, thanks.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Sebastian Brock once when he spoke on Ephraim the Syrian.
He is a fascinating Scholar.
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