This book, originally written in the Aramaic language was translated in the spring of 1964 by His Holiness, Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East. This work was little known since the original printed copies were mostly destroyed. This reproduction represents no changes to the original translation with the exception of spelling corrections and standardizing the protocol from English to American diction. His Holiness Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch was the Supreme Head of the Church of the East, its Universal Pastor from 1920 until his assassination in 1975. Born in southern Turkey, His Holiness was raised with care, having received theological and liturgical training in the Middle East and in England at St. Augustines College and later Cambridge University. He worked tirelessly fighting for the Church and his Assyrian people. Often in danger of his life, he met with foreign diplomats and heads of states appealing to the League of Nations and later, the United Nations all the while contacting world leaders and discussing with them the Assyrian Questions. In later years, he was received throughout the Middle East by Islamic Heads of state in a most respectful and amiable of circumstances which speaks to his worldly sophistication and influence as a true leader. His Holiness was a profound scholar, an exemplary writer, a charismatic speaker and was a recognized subject matter expert in Ecclesiastical History and an authority the on History of Christianity in the Middle East and Far East. An innovative leader of the Church and Assyrian people, well schooled in both the ecclesiastical aspects of his vocation, as well as geo-political issues. Attuned to the needs of his flock and nation he mindfully navigated the tenuous landscape with uncompromising ethics, integrity and superior leadership, which were the hallmarks of his character and a truly remarkable Patriarch. His agility in managing both the secular and temporal affairs bespoke his magnificent stewardship of the Assyrian people and the Church of the East.

The so-called 'Nestorian' Church (officially known as the Apostolic Assyrian Church of the East, with its See in Baghdad) was one of the most significant Christian communities to develop east of the Roman Empire. In its heyday the Church had 8 million adherents and stretched from the Mediterranean to China. Christoph Baumer is one of the very few Westerners to have visited many of the most important Assyrian sites and has written the only comprehensive history of the Church, which now fights for survival in its country of origin, Iraq, and is almost forgotten in the West. He narrates its rich and colorful trajectory, from its apostolic beginnings to the present day, and discusses the Church's theology, christology, and uniquely vigorous spirituality. He analyzes the Church's turbulent relationship with other Christian chuches and its dialogue with neighboring world religions such as Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Islam, Buddhism, and Taoism. Richly illustrated with maps and over 150 full-color photographs, the book will be essential reading for those interested in a fascinating, but neglected Christian community which has profoundly shaped the history of civilization in both East and West.

The present collection of twenty-five studies represents the general theme of 'continuity and change', as applied to various topics connected with the rich heritage of Syriac culture. These studies cover the period from the early third to the fourteenth centuries, with an incidental excursion into modern times. The focal areas are early Syriac Christianity and its Umwelt and the later West Syrian and East Syrian traditions. Most of the contributions deal with historical subjects, with the general theme elaborated in two different directions: first, ecclesiastical history, monasticism, hagiography and theology, and second, secular history, literature, scholarship, ideas and religions. In a more specific sense the contributions focus on patterns of cultural continuity and change, such as the influence and reception of Greek secular and theological culture and literature, developments within early and later Syriac asceticism, religious controversy, the interaction between different religious communities, and the effects of major political and social changes on the cultural and religious life of the various Syriac communities. One of the most radical political changes in the Middle East concerns the Arab conquest and the rise of Islam in the seventh century. Some authors explicitly discuss the consequences of these changes for the Christian (Syriac and Armenian) populations. The effects of these historical events on intellectual, social and economic life are some of the topics discussed in this connection. Of particular interest is the number of newly edited Syriac texts in this volume, which make available translations of Greek theological works, works resulting from the reception of pagan philosophy, and magic texts reflecting popular belief.