The Maphrian Shukr Allah of Aleppo
(d. 1764)
Maphrian Shukr Allah is son of the Deacon Musa al-Qasabji. He was born at Aleppo in which he also studied Syriac, becoming proficient in it and in Arabic, though not excelling in it. He also studied religious sciences, became a monk and later was ordained a priest. He was consecrated a maphrian for Malabar in India in 1748 under the name Basilius. He died in Malabar in 1764. He was of commendable deeds and character. His general knowledge was extensive. In 1751 he wrote his Journey to Malabar in Syriac, consisting of eleven pages, which we have published.647 He also wrote in Arabic a good book on the catechism.648