The Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch commemorates the 13th Centennial jubilee of Mor Georgeous (George) Bishop of Gentiles (724-2024)

In 2024 - The Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch commemorates the 13th Centennial jubilee of Mor Georgeous (George) Bishop of Gentiles (Afeskopho D’ameh/D’Araboyeh) (724-2024)

As it is the practice and following the decree by the Holy Synod of marking a milestone for yet another of our church’s saints, the parishes received the Apostolic Bull issued by H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, the Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church.? HH commenced this Apostolic Bull with the deriving from first chapter verse eight of the book of ACTS: “And you shall be witnesses to me” – the full verse is included below in Syriac and English:

?But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you shall receive power and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea also in the province of Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth. (ACTS 1:8)

In this Apostolic Bull, HH referred to this bishop as ‘The Faithful Witness’.? HH took the reader through a journey in the history of the martyrdom at the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, and in addition to Mor Georgeous Bishop of Gentiles, the martyr Saint Harith Ibn Ka’b and all the Syriac Orthodox Hamyari Martyrs as derived from the Church’s history who have been heroic and were persecuted for their faith in Christ in the land of Saba and the lands of Hamyari Arabs in Yemen.?

HH talked about the Syriac Church of Antioch as a witness in the lands of the Arabs and other countries even reaching China, whereas the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch played a significant role in sharing the evangelical message. The Church Fathers had a distinct role in spreading the Orthodox Christian faith throughout the regions under the jurisdiction and care of the Antiochian See, extending to the Far East.? Among these Fathers was St. Georgeous, the Bishop of Gentile/Arabs (D’Ameh/Araboye).

Towards the end of the Apostolic Bull, HH invited the faithful to testify for Christ and navigate this world, filled with persecution and significant faith challenges as befits His Gospel as we are taught by St. Paul (included below in Syriac and English):

Only conduct yourselves as becomes the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or whether I am far away, I may hear of your good conduct, that you are standing firm in one spirit and in one soul, and triumphing together through the faith of the gospel,? (Philippians 1:27)

Though the life of mor Georgeous was a difficult one, yet not much can be traced from the survived manuscripts of the church, but here is an attempt to provide some pointers to this life in the following lines:

Mor Georgeous Bishop of the Gentiles (Bishop of Ameh) (724+)

He was born in a village near Antioch around the year 640.

He completed his studies at his village at the hands of the local clergy,

He departed the village seeking more education.

He studied at the famous Monastic School of Qinneshrine that was then under the leadership of Mor Severus Sabukht (666+)

He was known of his knowledge of Greek science and a thorough understanding of Aristotle philosophy.

He translated the Philosophical Aristotle works into Syriac (The Organon)

He completed the Hexameron (a Discourse on the six days of creation) by his friend Jacob of Edessa (708+)

In the year 687 and at the hands of Patriarch Athanasius II he was promoted to the rank of Bishop to take care of the Gentiles (who were referred to as the Arab tribes of the Hytra region under the Mapherianate of Tikrit)

He compiled several poems and had several writings including the interpretations of some of the books of the Holy Bible, and explanations on the Church’s sacraments that have now become available at the site of the Department of Syriac Studies. This was achieved through the zealousness of three brethren from the Aydin Family of the Syriac community who are eager to keep the Syriac heritage.

Departed this earthly life in the year 724.

May God benefit us with his supplications.

I conclude this article, with a beautiful summary that was compiled by HH and published on HH’s X account in April 2024:

Quote

[Georgeous] George Bishop of the Arabs (April 15, 724) “The Church history does not provide extensive information about the life of this learned scholar and venerable saint, George, Bishop of the Arabs. He was one of the disciples of the theological school of Qenneshrin. During his youth, he studied under Saint Saverius Sabukht, shortly before the latter’s passing. George was well-versed in the Divine Word, a diligent worker in philosophy, and an exegete of the Holy Scriptures. He stood out as a prominent critic and distinguished writer in both prose and poetry.

His knowledge spanned various fields known in his time, including Syriac linguistics, philosophy, astronomy, theology, and history. He received the monastic skema and walked the path of monasticism with fear and love of God. He led a life of asceticism and renunciation. The divine providence chose him to be a priest and later bishop for the Arab tribes of Tayy, Uqayl, and Tanukh. The center of his episcopate was in Aqula, which is present-day Kufa in Iraq. There, he shepherded his diocese with purity, knowledge, and virtue for thirty-eight years. Saint George, a venerable elder, eventually departed to the heavenly abodes in the year 724 AD, after a life spent witnessing for Christ, proclaiming His name, teaching His sacred Word, and confirming and strengthening his flock from the Arab tribes in their faith in Christ.”

Unquote

May God the Almighty benefit us with the prayers and supplications of this great saint and the other martyrs who were true witnesses to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Theodora Issa, Academic and Author, a member of the St. Ephraim Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. Member of the Central Committee, the World Council of Churches representing the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch since 2013.

For further information, please refer to:

HH Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MorIgnatiusAphremII

HH X account https://x.com/MorAphremII

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