Introduction

The lecture speaks about the Syriac Church (the Church of Antioch) and its apostolic history and its ancient status, its Syriac language, and its spiritual and historical role in the East.

The Historical and Apostolic Axis

The Church of Antioch is one of the oldest churches in the world after Jerusalem; apostles such as Barnabas and Paul served there, and some historians said that Saint Peter also served there. The Antiochene see is apostolic in origin and its seat later moved to Damascus.

Language, Translation and Pastoral Care

Its main language is Syriac (the Aramaic spoken by the Lord Christ), and the Holy Book was translated into it in the version known as the Peshitta (the simple translation), and then the Gospels were translated into other Eastern languages as the preaching spread eastward to Persia and India.

Ecclesiastical Organization and Ranks

The Church of Antioch was among the four great apostolic sees alongside Rome, Alexandria and Constantinople, and its care extended across the East establishing bishoprics, sees, metropolitans, and theological and monastic institutions serving the Church.

Divisions and Trials

The Church suffered disintegrations due to political conflicts between the Persians and Romans and the spread of theological tendencies such as Nestorianism which led to parts separating from it; it also endured persecution and trials over the ages, and there arose fathers and martyrs and a strong defense of the faith.

Syriac Fathers and Saints

From the fathers of the Syriac Church emerged great men like Saint Severus of Antioch (in the sixth century) and Saint Jacob the Batradai, who left great writings, asceticism, and defenses of the true faith; deaconesses and deacons played roles in answering spiritual questions and managing church affairs.

Contemporary Situation

The Antiochene see is now distributed with several patriarchs (Syrian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox/Roman, and Greek Catholic) and Syriac institutions in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, India and elsewhere; the Syriac Orthodox Church still preserves the apostolic faith in the three councils and the one nature of Christ as we believe.

For better translation support, please contact the center.