East Syriac Rite
The East Syriac Rite, or the East Syrian Rite (and also known as the Assyrian Rite, Edessan Rite, Persian Rite, Nestorian Rite, Chaldean Rite, Babylonian Rite, or Syro-Oriental Rite) is a Christian rite that was traditionally practiced by the Church of the East and remains in use by its descendants. It is one of two Syriac rites, the other being the West Syriac Rite.[1]
Thomas the Apostle established Christianity in Mesopotamia, Assyria, and Persia, when he travelled to India. The First Council of Ephesus in 431, said that the ideas and teachings of Nestorius were false. These teachings are commonly known as Nestorianism. The Church of Seleucia-Ctesiphon did not share this opinion, and split from the other churches. The church was very successful, and quickly spread. The conquest of Tamerlane in the 15th century almost destroyed the church, and reduced itto a few communities. Differences in opinion resulted in the current situation.
Usage
The East Syriac Rite is currently used, in different ways, by churches that descend from the Church of the East:[2]
- Assyrian Church of the East in Iraq
- Chaldean Syrian Church in India, archbishopric of the ACOE
- Ancient Church of the East in Iraq, autocephalous church that split in 1964
- Chaldean Catholic Church based in Baghdad
- Syro-Malabar Catholic Church based in India
Of these churches, the Chaldean and Syro-Malabar Catholic Churches are in full communion with Rome. All churches use the Syriac language (specifically the Eastern dialects) in their liturgy.
East Syriac Rite Media
Lineages of the East Syriac Rite
A Syro-Malabar Catholic bishop holding the Mar Thoma Christian Cross, which symbolizes the heritage and identity of the Syrian Church of Saint Thomas Christians of India
Chinese stone inscription of a Church of the East Christian Cross from a monastery of Fangshan District in Beijing (then called Dadu, or Khanbaliq), dated to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD) of medieval China.
Amen in East Syriac Aramaic
Mystery of Crowning at a wedding in the Chaldean Syrian Church
Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry crowning a baby after baptism
Rite of Renewal of Holy Leaven (Malka) in Syro Malabar Church
Persian cross at St Thomas Mount, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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References
- ↑ "Antiochene rite | Eastern Church, Liturgy, Byzantine | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: East Syrian Rite". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
