Difference between revisions of "Barhadbeshabba 'Arbaya"

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'''Barhadbeshabba of Holwan''' (late sixth, early seventh century) [Ch. of East] Bp. of Holwan and scholar. Possibly the same as Barhadbeshabba Arbaya. B~ studied under {Henana} in the {School of Nisibis}. During his time at the school (and sometime after 581) he composed, ''Cause of the Foundation of the Schools'', a history of the Schools of Edessa and Nisibis that begins with a treatment of epistemology and is grounded in a survey of earlier educational establishments - in the Bible, Greece, Egypt, and Persia. The history concludes with the headship of Henana (ca.572-ca. 610), whom B~ views favorably. The Anonymous Chronicle edited by I. Guidi describes B~ as "famous for writing books" (p. 22).
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'''Barhadbeshabba `Arbaya''' was an East Syriac writer who flourished ca. 600 AD. He was a teacher at the School of Nisibis during the time of Henana. He came from Beth `Arabaye. It is possible that he is the same as [[Barhadbeshabba of Halwan]].
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After becoming Bp. of Holwan (in the mountains N.E. of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, B~ attended the synod called by the newly
 
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elected Cath. Gregory in 605 and was a signatory of the canons formulated there (Synodicon Orientale, 471-9). Many have identified B~ with his namesake, B~ Arbaya, who was a teacher at the School of Nisibis during the time of Henana. He composed, ''History of the Holy Fathers, Persecuted on Account of the Truth'', known by the title, ''Ecclesiastical History'', which traces the development of Ch. of E. up to the death of Abraham, head of the School of Nisibis (569). The Ecclesiastical History survives as an important source for the early history of Ch. of E. {Abdisho} mentions this work in his entry on B~ Arbaya (BibOr 3.1.169), also attributing to him: a voluminous ''Book of Treasures'', a polemical work ''against all the Sects'', a history of the ''Followers of Mar Diodor'', and commentaries on Psalms and the Gospel of Mark. Only the latter survive, and that only in a few quotations in{Ishodad of Merw} and {Gannat Bussame}. It is possible that a B~ from the region of Beth Arbaye came to Nisibis and was eventually consecrated Bp. of Holwan, in which case the two are actually one and the same person, as some scholars believe. Several manuscripts identify the author of Foundation of the Schools as B~ Arbaya, even though {Abdisho} Catalogue of Syriac
 
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Writers makes no such connection, omitting any mention of Foundation or of B~ of Holwan per se. Their identification is supported by their contemporaneity, their mutual connection to Nisibis and Henana, the common subject matter of their surviving works, and the lack of positive evidence to the contrary, though it is far from certain that they are one and the same person.
 
  
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Bibliog. BibOr 3.1.169; Cause de la fondation des ecoles, ed. with
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He composed a ''History of the Holy Fathers, Persecuted on Account of the Truth'', known by the title, ''Ecclesiastical History'', which traces the development of the Church of the East up to the death of Abraham, head of the School of Nisibis (569). The ''Ecclesiastical History'' survives as an important source for the early history of the East Syriac Church.
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French translation by A. Scher, PO 4 (1907) 317-404; L'histoire de Barhadbsabba 'Arbaya, ed. with French translation by F. Nau, PO 9
 
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(1913), 489-677; 23 (1932), 179-343; Synodicon Orientale ou recueil de synodes nestoriens, ed. J. B. Chabot (1902), 471-9; Chronicum anonymum, ed. I. Guidi, in Chronica minora I (CSCO 1; 1903); A. Baumstark, Geschichte der syrischen Literatur (1922),136; A. Voobus, History of the School of Nisibis (CSCO 266; 1965) 280-2, 294-6; J. M. Fiey, Jalons pour une histoire de l'Eglise en Iraq (CSCO 310; 1970), 25-6.
 
  
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By: Jeff W. Childers
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{Abdisho} mentions this work in his entry on [[Barhadbeshabba `Arbaya]] (''BibOr.'' 3.1.169), also attributing to him: a voluminous ''Book of Treasures'', a polemical work ''against all the Sects'', a history of the ''Followers of Mar Diodor'', and commentaries on Psalms and the Gospel of Mark. Only the latter survive, and that only in a few quotations in [[Ishodad of Merv]] and {Gannat Bussame}. <ref>This material by Jeff Childers.</ref>
  
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=== Bibliography ===
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The ''Ecclesiastical History'' exists in a French translation.  It is in 32 chapters.  The sole surviving manuscript gives it the title "History of the holy fathers who were persecuted for the sake of truth".  Most of the book deals, first with the Arian controversy of the 4th century, and then the conflict between Cyril and Nestorius in the 5th.  Several of the chapters are short biographies of individuals, such as Gregory Thaumaturgus, Basil, Diodore, John Chrysostom, Theodore of Mopsuestia, and Nestorius.  The final two chapters are devoted to Narsai and Abraham (d. 569).<ref>S. Brock, ''Brief outline of Syriac literature'', Moran Etho 9, p.48.</ref>
  
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* Barhadbeshabba ‘Arbaya, Histoire ecclésiastique , F. Nau (éd.), Patrologia orientalis IX (1913), p. 605 [117]-606 [118]
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== Bibliography ==
  
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* Addai Ibrahim Scher (ed), Cause de la fondation des ecoles / Barhadbsabba 'Arbaya, Eveque de Halwan (VIe siecle) ; texte syriaque publie et traduit par Addai Scher. Turnhout, Belgium : Editions Brepols (1971).
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* Barhadbeshabba ‘Arbaya, ''Histoire ecclésiastique'', F. Nau (éd.), Patrologia orientalis 9 (1913) and 23 (1932).
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== References ==
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<references/>

Revision as of 14:17, 25 May 2011

Barhadbeshabba `Arbaya was an East Syriac writer who flourished ca. 600 AD. He was a teacher at the School of Nisibis during the time of Henana. He came from Beth `Arabaye. It is possible that he is the same as Barhadbeshabba of Halwan.

He composed a History of the Holy Fathers, Persecuted on Account of the Truth, known by the title, Ecclesiastical History, which traces the development of the Church of the East up to the death of Abraham, head of the School of Nisibis (569). The Ecclesiastical History survives as an important source for the early history of the East Syriac Church.

{Abdisho} mentions this work in his entry on Barhadbeshabba `Arbaya (BibOr. 3.1.169), also attributing to him: a voluminous Book of Treasures, a polemical work against all the Sects, a history of the Followers of Mar Diodor, and commentaries on Psalms and the Gospel of Mark. Only the latter survive, and that only in a few quotations in Ishodad of Merv and {Gannat Bussame}. [1]

The Ecclesiastical History exists in a French translation. It is in 32 chapters. The sole surviving manuscript gives it the title "History of the holy fathers who were persecuted for the sake of truth". Most of the book deals, first with the Arian controversy of the 4th century, and then the conflict between Cyril and Nestorius in the 5th. Several of the chapters are short biographies of individuals, such as Gregory Thaumaturgus, Basil, Diodore, John Chrysostom, Theodore of Mopsuestia, and Nestorius. The final two chapters are devoted to Narsai and Abraham (d. 569).[2]

Bibliography

  • Barhadbeshabba ‘Arbaya, Histoire ecclésiastique, F. Nau (éd.), Patrologia orientalis 9 (1913) and 23 (1932).

References

  1. ↑ This material by Jeff Childers.
  2. ↑ S. Brock, Brief outline of Syriac literature, Moran Etho 9, p.48.
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