Maphrian

Maphrian, also: " Metropolitan ", " Catholicos " of the East, was the title of the head of the Syrian Orthodox, " Jacobite " church in the area of the (former ) Persian Empire of the Sassanids. The "anti- Nestorian " Church of the Jacobites had been represented in Mesopotamia ( Iraq), mainly in the area around Tikrit and Mosul. Today, the title of the Maphrian at the head of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church is awarded.

Organizationally, there were initially, that is, to the 7th century, a separation between the western and eastern part of the Syrian Orthodox Church according to the opposition of oströmischem Empire and the Persian Empire. It was not until the Arab conquest of Palestine and Mesopotamia ( 630 model - year ) led the Jacobites together on the basis of their Monophysite or diplophysitischen views to Christ teaching, Maphrian was deputy to the Western Patriarch of the East. He should be elected by the eastern bishops, but come from the West.

Residence of Maphrians was to 1089 Tikrit, Mosul, then, finally, the monastery Mar Mattai ( in Mosul ).

A significant Maphrian was: Gregorius Bar - Hebraeus ( 1264-1286 ).

In the 20th century the title of Maphrian was revived and has since been awarded to the " Catholicos of India." Current holder of the title is Baselios Thomas I.