Ecclesiastical Chronicle, Volume 2

BAR HEBRAEUS ECCLESIASTICAL CHRONICLE, SECTION I.

...to confirm him. And when the Maphrian heard of the coming of the Patriarch, he arose and went out to meet him. And he brought out with him the leaders of the Christians, the bishops, and his teacher, the priest John Barbadra. He did not refuse him, and they went down to him. And he met him with the joys of his uncle, the Patriarch Chaleph, who had passed away. And the Patriarch John humbled himself well before the Maphrian and said to him: "I have not completed my desire through any mediation of my own, but I saw that some unlearned and lawless men were struggling greatly to stand as leaders, even though they were not worthy. And now, if it is your desire and it fulfills your longing, arise yourself upon the throne of the patriarchate, and I will go down to the East and be to you as a disciple." But the Maphrian did not accept this. And some wicked strangers stirred up the Maphrian to oppose the Patriarch and took him to the Sultan of Mardin and said to him: "The patriarchate by inheritance is rightfully his, because he is the son of the sister of the deceased Patriarch." And the Emir said: "If you wish, I will appoint him." And he clothed him with a white tunic on the condition. But the Maphrian did not agree to this and said to the Emir: "Our law does not command that two men should have one wife." And the Maphrian went down and crossed over Tur Abdin to the East, not having been reconciled with the Patriarch. In the year 1791 of the Greeks 1480 AD, the Maphrian sought to make peace and receive the myron holy chrism.

...the supporters. But when the Patriarch perceived the arrival of the Maphrian, he himself arose, and having taken with him the Christian leaders, the bishops, and his teacher, the doctor Priest John Barbadra, they descended to pay him respect, and they consoled him for the death of his uncle, the Patriarch Chaleph. Patriarch John indeed showed himself very humbly toward the Maphrian, saying to him: "I have not by any means fulfilled my own will in this matter, but I saw that certain unlearned and unruly men were exerting much effort so that they might be preferred, even though they were unworthy. Now, however, if your will desires it, you yourself may remain upon the patriarchal seat; I, however, will descend to the East and will serve you as a disciple." The Maphrian, however, did not grant assent to that proposal; but some, not seeking the peace of the church, incited the Maphrian to resist, and led him to the Sultan of Mardin, to whom they said: "The prefectship rightly pertained to this man, since he is the nephew of the deceased patriarch by his sister." To which the Emir: "If you wish," he said, "I will appoint to you the one you designate;" and he handed him a white garment under that condition, but the Maphrian was not content with this either and said to the Emir: "By our law it is not permitted that two men should have one wife." And the Maphrian descended, passing through Tur Abdin, to the East, without having been reconciled with the Patriarch. But in the year 1791 of the Greeks 1480 AD, the Maphrian, wishing to make peace and receive the chrism...