MAR AWA CATHOLICOS (FEB. 28TH)

Patriarch Mar Awa the Great

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

Mar Awa Catholicos, the Patriarch of the Church of the East, was a figure of extraordinary courage, faith, and wisdom, whose life serves as a testament to the steadfastness of the ancient Church in the face of persecution and adversity. His story is intertwined with the history of the Eastern Syriac Church, standing as a pillar of Orthodoxy in a turbulent time, marked by the clash of theological ideologies and political pressures. His journey, from a Zoroastrian convert to a patriarch who shaped the theological landscape of the East, echoes the struggles and triumphs of the early Christian faith.

Mar Awa's early life was rooted in the ancient Persian Empire, where he was born to Zoroastrian parents. However, the light of Christ soon reached him, and he was baptized at Herta (Al-Hirab), a city known for its Christian communities and theological schools. His baptism marked the beginning of his journey as a Christian scholar and evangelist, a calling that would take him far from his home, into the depths of theological learning and leadership.

Upon his conversion, Mar Awa made his way to Nisibis, a city renowned for its theological seminary founded by the famous teachers Mar Bar Sauma Metropolitan and Mar Narsai. It was here that Mar Awa began to immerse himself in the deep wells of Christian learning. He became a famous teacher, noted for his ability to blend Orthodox doctrine with the rich traditions of the Eastern Church, and a zealous evangelist to his fellow countrymen.

In Nisibis, Mar Awa was exposed to the teachings of the Chalcedonian Fathers, whose Orthodoxy shaped his theological outlook. The Chalcedonian definitions, which emphasized the dual nature of Christ - both fully divine and fully human - resonated deeply within the heart of Mar Awa, who sought to preserve the integrity of this truth in the face of many challenges, especially as the Church of the East wrestled with various heresies. His theological formation was not merely academic but also practical, and it was here that he would develop a deep commitment to Ancient Orthodoxy, ever faithful to the doctrine and principles of the Early Church.

Mar Awa’s intellectual pilgrimage led him to Edessa, where he further honed his understanding of Christian theology. Under the guidance of his teacher Thomas, he learned the Greek language, a skill that would prove invaluable in translating the liturgy of Mar Theodore the Interpreter from Greek into Syriac. These translations were not only liturgical but also doctrinal, ensuring that the Orthodox Chalcedonian Dyophysite teachings would remain preserved in the Syriac-speaking Church, and that the faithful would continue to worship in spirit and truth according to the ancient Christian tradition.

Mar Awa’s influence in Nisibis grew, and he became renowned as a teacher of truth, a role that would see him rise to the leadership of the Church. In the year 536 A.D., he was chosen as Patriarch of the Church of the East, a position that would bring him not only honor but also suffering. The theological and political climate was volatile, with constant pressures from both the imperial court and the forces of heresy threatening the unity of the faithful. Yet, in the face of these trials, Mar Awa remained unwavering in his devotion to the Chalcedonian definition of Christ as “fully God and fully Man”, embracing the fullness of Christ’s humanity and divinity, and defending this truth against all opposition.

Mar Awa’s path was marked by the flames of persecution. In AD 550, Mar Awa and his disciple were captured by the Persian Shah and imprisoned for their faith. The Shah offered Mar Awa his release, provided that he would cease making converts from the Magian (Zoroastrian) religion to Christianity. Yet, Mar Awa stood firm in his faith, refusing to compromise his Christian mission, even in the face of imprisonment. His courage in the midst of such adversity is a profound witness to the truth of the Gospel —that to follow Christ is to risk everything, including freedom and life itself.

In the spring of AD 551, the Shah ordered that Mar Awa be moved from his prison, and though his chains were removed, the patriarch's physical condition had greatly deteriorated due to his prolonged imprisonment. He had fallen ill and was struck with paralysis, yet even in his weakness, Mar Awa continued to serve Christ faithfully, witnessing to the power of divine grace. He was moved to Seleucia, the capital city, where he lived in the presence of the Shah’s court. Despite the privileges this new location afforded him, the patriarch’s health continued to decline. Mar Awa passed away on 28th February, AD 552, having endured much for the sake of Christ.

Mar Awa’s legacy, however, was not only his steadfastness in the face of persecution, but also his contribution to Orthodoxy. His life and his work in preserving the East Syriac understanding of the Chalcedonian Confession in the Eastern Church were crucial. At a time when many were succumbing to heretical ideologies, Mar Awa’s Orthodox stance ensured that the true faith remained intact, following the ancient tradition handed down by the Apostles and the Fathers. His commitment to this faith was both intellectual and spiritual, ensuring that the East Syriac Church remained in communion with the wider Catholic and Orthodox Church.

An East Syriac Icon of Mar Awa the Great, Held by the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate 

Mar Awa Catholicos lived a life marked by unwavering faith, profound wisdom, and a relentless commitment to the truth of Christ. His life is a model for all Christians—especially those who face persecution for their faith. He reminds us that even in the midst of suffering, Christ remains the source of our strength and hope. May his example inspire us to hold fast to the truth of the ancient Church, to remain steadfast in Orthodoxy, and to witness to Christ in all circumstances.

COLLECT

O Almighty God, who hast called thy servant Mar Awa to bear witness to the truth of thy Word, even in the face of suffering and persecution: Grant, we beseech thee, that, like him, we may remain steadfast in our faith, ever true to the Chalcedonian Confession of the Orthodox Faith, and uphold the light of Orthodoxy in the face of all trials. May we, by thy grace, be faithful unto death, and, like thy holy martyr, rise to eternal life with thee. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen.