John of Tella (482 - 538 AD) - Early Life and Monastic Vocation

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of John of Tella, a significant sixth-century Miaphysite bishop. It details his early life, monastic vocation, and pivotal role in leading the opposition to the Chalcedonian Creed in Syria. The text explores his resistance to imperial religious policies, including his exile and clandestine ordination of clergy, which were crucial for the survival of the Syrian Orthodox Church. Furthermore, the source examines John's surviving writings, highlighting his theological perspectives and his use of the Syriac language. Finally, it contextualizes John's life within the broader sociolinguistic landscape of sixth-century Syriac Christianity, emphasizing the importance of Syriac as a liturgical and theological language for Miaphysite communities.

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