263. The Monk Malke Saqo (d. 1490)
The Monk Malke Saqo (d. 1490) Malke is son of Yuhanna (John) Khughaym nicknamed Saqo. He was born at Basibrina and became a monk at the Qartamin Monastery and mastered the Syriac language and literature. He composed in the twelve-syllabic meter a good lengthy ode (25 pages) in praise of the Virgin Mary. In another copy this ode is entitled the Nativity of Our Lord in Human Body.553 Another ode is against those who deny the virginity of the Virgin Mary.554 He also compiled an order for the Friday of the White, from old copies and wrote some husoyos. We have read in the service book for the...
Read More262. Patriarch Aziz Ibn al-Ajuz (Bar Sobto) (d. 1481)
Patriarch Aziz Ibn al-Ajuz (Bar Sobto) (d. 1481) Ibn al-Ajuz, also known as Abu al-Maani, was born at the village of Basila near Mardin. He became a monk at the Qartamin Monastery and followed a strict life of asceticism and austerity. He studied under Master Yeshu of Basibrina and became reputed for his virtue. He was ordained a priest and then a bishop for the diocese of Hah. On Maundy Thursday of the year 1461 he was invited to ascend the See of Tur Abdin. He died in 1481. He was very strict in observing church rules. In a correct but unsophisticated style he wrote the following: 1. A...
Read More259. Patriarch Behnam of Hidl (d. 1454)
Patriarch Behnam of Hidl (d. 1454) Patriarch Behnam is son of Yuhanna of the Habbo Kanni family originally from Bartulli, but he was born at Hidl. He became a monk at the Qartamin Monastery and was ordained a priest. In 1404 he was consecrated a maphrian under the name Basilius and succeeded the Patriarch Ibrahim on the See of Mardin under the name Ignatius on July 24, 1412. After the death of Patriarch Basilius V, he was able because of his lenient policies to convince the diocese of the patriarch to proclaim him a legitimate patriarch. Thus in 1445 they proclaimed him Patriarch of Antioch....
Read More261. The Monk Gharib of Manimim (1476)
The Monk Gharib of Manimim (1476) Gharib is son of Barsoum of Manimim. He became a monk and then was ordained a priest. He studied at the Monastery of Qartamin. In 1470 he wrote an order for the festival of Mar Awgen, into which he incorporated the pseudo story of the saint.547 He participated with the monk Yeshu in writing husoyos for the festival of Mar Barsoum, bishop of Kafrtut and Khabura.548 He was still living in 1476.
Read More260. Barsoum Madani, maphrian of the East (1455)
Barsoum Madani, maphrian of the East (1455) Barsoum Madani studied under the priest Tuma (Thomas) and mastered the fundamentals of the Syriac language and its literature as well as religious sciences. He became a monk at the Monastery of Mar Yaqub (Jacob) in Salh and was ordained a priest. He became known for his ascetic life and piety and, therefore, was chosen by the patriarch Behnam to become the Maphrian of the East. He was consecrated on April 9, 1422 under the name Basilius. He fulfilled responsibilities of his office most appropriately and became reputed for his outstanding virtues and...
Read More258. Quma the Patriarch of Tur Abdin (d. 1454)
Quma the Patriarch of Tur Abdin (d. 1454) Quma is the son of the chieftain Jafal of Basibrina. At the beginning he was ordained a bishop for the Qartamin Monastery, but later was transferred to the diocese of Hah and then consecrated a patriarch for Tur Abdin in 1444.530 He died in 1454. He was knowledgeable in the works of many writers. He drew up a lengthy liturgy in good style, beginning thus: “O God who art thou the safety and peace of all people,” followed by a husoyo beginning thus: “Blessed art thou inviting sacrifice.”
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