Ishoyahb III

Ischo - Jab III. ( Īšōjahb; † 659 ) was the Catholicos of the Apostolic Church of the East from 649 until his death in 659, he is considered one of the most important catholicoi of the Apostolic Church, the source location to his life and work is relatively low.

Life

Ischo - jab was probably born around 590 and came from wealthy Persian family who entertained important possessions in the Adiabene. He was theologically trained in the major college of Nisibis, but he left with other students in protest after the Metropolitan Gregorios had been deposed. Ischo - jab then entered the monastery Beth and press the talk was about 628 Bishop of Nineveh. He is attested in 640 as Metropolitan of Arbela in Adiabene, where he reformed monasticism in his jurisdiction. 649 he was elected Catholicos. Ischo - jab was holding office in a very politically troubled time. The Sassanid Empire, in which he lived and worked as Catholicos, broke 651 finally together in the wake of the Arab-Islamic conquest. Ischo - jab had already collected as Metropolitan of Nineveh experience in dealing with the Arab invaders.

In his time as Catholicos he aimed at the greatest possible binding power of the church and took action against the Miaphysites that were considered by the Eastern Church as heretics. Ischo - jabs reports are also the earliest evidence for relations between Christians and Muslims. The Muslims are always mentioned only in connection with reports on Christian issues. In letters is reported that Christians in Oman had to cede the Arab conquerors half of their possessions and had to pay a poll tax in order to practice their faith further. Such reports shall, also covered by Arabic parallel traditions, as credible, although the amount of each tribute and the head control (usually probably 1 Dinar ) was wavering.

In the research is controversial, as well the relations of the Catholicos and the Assyrian Christians to the Arab authorities were on their concessions now under Arab rule, Christians were instructed. It speaks due to different source reports some evidence that this was due not least to the behavior of the Arab governors, some of good contacts with the Christians were wont to but partly also behaved quite hostile. In a report about a serious conflict between Ischo - jab and a high Arab officials mentioned that left - jab Ischo imprisoned briefly. Also reports on the individual pursuit of Nestorian communities, including the destruction of churches.

As Ischo - Jab 659 died, was present among others Elias of Merv, who has written a now lost church history.