Saturday, February 19, 2022

Isho'yahb and Sahdona in Antioch (or not)

Thomas of Marga arranges the Nestorian embassy in his capsule of Isho'yahb III, which embassy he assigns to Shiroë; but never mind that for now. He's more reasonable in bringing the Cyriacus-Gabriel duet here, even getting that Gabriel right.

Thomas after them appends "our Mar Ishoʿyahb of Nineveh" and Sahdona. Here Thomas spins some narratives about how a Mar Ishoʿyahb (of Bet-'Abe) collected a casket of Occidental relics - in "Antioch", which if it's the famous city is coastal so not on their way - and about the seduction of Sahdona to the Had-Qnoma, also accompanied by a Mar Ishoʿyahb (of "our convent"). Although admittedly Guidi's chronicle from Khuzestan #6 remembers "Antiocheia Mygdoniae" as applied to Nisibis.

I find interesting that bishop-Ishoʿyahb's own correspondence never refers to this (authorised) sojourn west. Our man is constantly referring to his (forced) sojourn SOUTH. This Ishoʿyahb sometimes also promises visits around his own diocese to preach to stray Assyrians (#16 aka "XIV"). And the man was not exactly a Man Of Good Standing in the first years of the restored Catholicate. And-and he actually had some experience with Sahdona and told his own story which has nothing in common with Thomas'. Seriously, dear reader; you don't even have to trust me.

I'll just say it: of all the things that never happened, Ishoʿyahb of Nineveh going to Aleppo much less Antioch is about in the median of those nonevents. Pace... so much pace. What is going on is an embarrassing gap in Ishoʿyahb's tenure as said Bishop. Thomas was fuzzy about which shah (or shah-ess) was ruling Seleucia, so pulled Shiroë's name right out his... hat.

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