COMMEATARY AND TRANSLATION IN SYRIAC ARISTOTELIAN SCHOLARSHIP: SERGIUS TO BAGHDAD1 / John W. Watt
Abstract: This article considers the relationship between the composition in Syriac of commentaries on Aristotle and the translation of his treatises from the time of Sergius of Reshaina through to the Baghdad scholars of the 8th-10th centuries. Surveying the work particularly of Sergius, the scholarly translators of Qenneshre, and the interests of Patriarch Timothy I as evidenced in his letters, it argues that the translation activity up to the 8th century must be seen within the context of a school tradition in which the Syriac text of Aristotle was read in association with a written or...
Read MoreSt. Ephraim the Syrian (d. 373)
St. Ephraim the Syrian (d. 373) (d. 373) St. Ephraim is unquestionably the master of the Syriac language and the poet par excellence of the Syrians. He possessed the innate properties of creativeness, poetic versatility, and the ability to present many meanings in few words. His style is solid, powerful, fluent and eloquent. In poetry he practiced an entirely new doctrine in which he was seldom rivaled. He distinguished himself by his abundant subject matter, fertile imagination and naturalness. In all these he takes palm. Into these poems he incorporated lofty ideas and noble meanings which...
Read MoreMar Michael the Great (d. 1199)
Mar Michael the Great (d. 1199) A great Father of the church and the choicest of the patriarchs of Antioch and a famous historian, Michael was born at Melitene in 1126. His father the priest Iliyya (Elijah) was from the Qindasi family. Michael’s uncle is Athanasius Zakka (Zacheas), metropolitan of Ayn Zarba (d. 1166). He became a monk at the Monastery of Mar Barsoum where he also was educated. He was ordained a priest and became the abbot of the monastery. The Holy Synod unanimously elected him a patriarch for the Apostolic throne, but he did not accept his election until the bishops...
Read MoreMar Gregory Abu al-Faraj of Melitene, maphrian of the East, known as Bar Hebraeus (d. 1286) – BIOGRAPHIES OF SYRIAN SCHOLARS AND WRITERS – Mor Ignatius Aphram Barsoum – Translated : By Dr. Matti Moosa
Mar Gregory Abu al-Faraj of Melitene, maphrian of the East, known as Bar Hebraeus (d. 1286) Abu al-Faraj, nicknamed “Jamal al-Din,” son of the deacon Taj al-Din Aaron the physician, the son of Tuma (Thomas) of Melitene known as Bar Hebraeus393 is a very famous learned man and one of the great philosophers and theologians of the Orient as well as the world.394 Certainly, he is the most luminous star that ever shown in the firmament of the Syrian nation395 and his encyclopedic knowledge makes him all the more unique and unequalled. He was born at Melitene in 1226 to a noble...
Read MoreDionysius Jacob bar Salibi, metropolitan of Amid (d. 1171) – BIOGRAPHIES OF SYRIAN SCHOLARS AND WRITERS – Mor Ignatius Aphram Barsoum – Translated : By Dr. Matti Moosa
Dionysius Jacob bar Salibi, metropolitan of Amid (d. 1171) A unique and distinguished Syrian dignitary, the pride of Melitene and a staunch defender of Christianity as well as of those who have been converted to Orthodoxy. A very learned man and writer, Bar Salibi excelled in his commentary on the Holy Scriptures, based on the ideas of former commentators but adorned with his own conclusions. Indeed, his commentary is the best and most popular of his writings. It is sufficient proof of his keen mind, industry, amazing fortitude and profound scholarship. He continued to work with zeal and...
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