02.28. Syrian Christians

Syrian Christians

Christianity came to Syria through the efforts of Greek-speaking Jewish Christians who were driven out of Jerusalem after the killing of Stephen.¹ Paul was converted in Syria, and although he had to flee when Jewish extremists tried to kill him, he later returned for a period and then moved north to his hometown region of Cilicia.²

Years later Paul returned to Syria and played an important part in the growth of the newly planted church in Antioch. This church, started through the work of Christian migrants from Cyprus and North Africa, had a vision to spread the gospel to other countries. It became the base for Paul’s international missionary travels.³

Over the following centuries, Antioch became an important centre in the development of church organization and theological beliefs. In the fifth century an Antioch church leader named Nestorius rose to prominence when, having moved to Constantinople, he became involved in a serious doctrinal dispute. Some considered him a heretic, but others saw him as a victim of church politics. Loyal followers formed what became known as the Nestorian church. It was based in Persia and had much evangelistic zeal.

Nestorian missionaries spread through the regions of present-day Iran, Iraq and Syria, and some went as far as India. There they linked up with a well-established church that traced its origins back to the arrival of the apostle Thomas in South India in AD 52. Other factors strengthened Syrian influence and to this day there is a prominent Syrian Church in South India. It takes different forms in Catholic, Orthodox and other traditions.

Syrian influence survives in other places also. Across the Middle East there are descendants of early Nestorian churches who call themselves Assyrian Christians. In Syria itself Christians amount to five percent of the population and are well respected. Although it is a secular state that recognizes Islam as the religion of the majority, Syria upholds religious freedom for minorities.

1. Acts 8:1; Acts 9:1-2; Acts 9:10; Acts 11:19-21 2. Acts 9:1-30; Galatians 1:13-21 3. Acts 11:19-26; Acts 13:1-4; Acts 14:26; Acts 15:30-41; Acts 18:18-22

Waterfront at Seleucia