Church of the East (East Syriac / Persian Church)
Ancient apostolic church of Mesopotamia, Persia, India, and China
The Church of the East (historically called the Nestorian Church or East Syriac Church) was the great missionary communion that expanded beyond the borders of the Roman Empire into Sasanian Persia, Central Asia, India, and Tang Dynasty China (as recorded on the Xi'an Stele in 781 AD).
Historical Context & Significance
Severing ecclesiastical ties with the Roman West after rejecting the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), the Church of the East preserved the theological legacy of Theodore of Mopsuestia and the East Syriac liturgical rite of Saints Addai and Mari, flourishing until devastated by the conquests of Timur in the 14th century.
Genealogical Lineage & Splits
Antiochian Apostolic Community
The Antiochian Apostolic Church was the primary missionary base for Paul and Barnabas, marked by the breakthrough integration of Jewish and Gentile believers in common table fellowship and the first place where disciples were called 'Christians' (Christianoi).
Separated in 431 ADTheological & Hermeneutical Coordinates
Primary Scripture Proof-Texts
Key biblical passages central to this tradition's exegesis and historical debates.
Connected Theological Perspectives & Debates
Universal confession across Chalcedonian and Non-Chalcedonian communions that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, born of the Virgin Mary, without sin.
Universal confession that adult converts from paganism or unbelief must make a conscious profession of repentance and faith before receiving baptism.