Athanasius of Balad, Patriarch of Antioch

Athanasius of Balad

Athanasius of Balad (also known as Athanasius II Baldoyo or Athanasius of Nisibis) was a significant figure in the Syriac Orthodox Church during the 7th century. He served as the Patriarch of Antioch from 684 until his death in 687. He is remembered for his ecclesiastical leadership, scholarly work, and translations of Greek texts into Syriac.

Life and Background

Athanasius was born in Balad, a city in Upper Mesopotamia north of Mosul, Iraq. He received his education at the Monastery of Qenneshre, where he studied Syriac, Greek, and various sciences under the tutelage of Severus Sebokht. It was at this monastery that he formed a friendship with Jacob of Edessa, another prominent Syriac scholar.

After his time at the Monastory of Qenneshrin, Athanasius became a monk at the Monastery of Beth Malka, near Antioch, where he continued his philosophical studies. He was later ordained as a priest and took up residence in Nisibis.

During the patriarchate of Severus II bar Masqeh, a schism arose within the Syriac Orthodox Church concerning the authority of archbishops to ordain suffragan bishops. On his deathbed, Severus authorized John, the archbishop of the Monastery of Saint Matthew, to reconcile with the dissenting bishops. Following Severus's death, a synod was convened at the Monastery of Asphulos near Reshʿayna in the summer of 684. At this synod, the schism was resolved, and Athanasius was chosen to succeed Severus as Patriarch of Antioch. His consecration took place in 684.

Patriarchate

Athanasius's tenure as the 46th Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch was relatively short, lasting only three years. Nevertheless, he addressed important ecclesiastical matters. In the same year as his ascension to the patriarchal office, he issued an encyclical directed to rural bishops (chorepiscopi) and priests (periodeutai) concerning interactions with other religious groups.

In this encyclical, Athanasius prohibited priests from administering baptism or the Eucharist to followers of Julianism, Nestorianism, and other sects. He also expressed his disapproval of Christian women marrying Muslims. However, he permitted these women to continue receiving the Eucharist, and he urged clergy to ensure that the children of such marriages were baptized, did not participate in Muslim festivals, and did not consume sacrificial meat.

Before his death, Athanasius instructed Bishop Sergius Zkhunoyo to consecrate his student George as bishop of the Arabs. Athanasius died in September 687. [Page Break]

Scholarly Work and Translations

Athanasius of Balad was a prolific translator of Greek works into Syriac. His translations played a crucial role in transmitting Greek philosophical and theological knowledge to the Syriac-speaking world. Some of his notable translations include:

• Porphyry's Isagoge (completed in January 645)

• An anonymous Greek text on logic

• Nine treatises of Basil of Caesarea's Hexameron (translated in 666/667 at the request of Matthew of Aleppo and Daniel of Edessa)

• Several letters of Severus of Antioch (translated in 669 at the commission of Matthew of Aleppo and Daniel of Edessa)

• Several homilies by Gregory of Nazianzus

• The works of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite

• Works by Aristotle, including Prior Analytics, Topics, and Sophistical Refutations

In addition to his translations, Athanasius composed original works, including prayers of supplication (three of which are used in the celebration of the Eucharist) and prayers for the dead. He is also known to have written commentaries, though only fragments of these survive. Michael Rabo refers to Athanasius as an interpreter of the scriptures.

Legacy

Athanasius of Balad is remembered as a significant figure in the Syriac Orthodox Church for his contributions as a patriarch, scholar, and translator. His translations of Greek texts into Syriac helped to preserve and disseminate important philosophical and theological works. His efforts to address ecclesiastical issues, such as the relationship between Christians and other religious groups, reflect the challenges faced by the Syriac Orthodox Church in a changing world.