Papa bar Aggai (died c. 327/328) was Bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, the capital of

Sassanid Persia The Sasanian () or Sassanid Empire, officially known as the Empire of Iranians (, ) and also referred to by historians as the Neo-Persian Empire, was the last Iranian empire before the early Muslim conquests of the 7th-8th centuries AD. Named ...

, in the late 3rd and early 4th century. An important figure in the early history of the

Church of the East The Church of the East ( syc, ܥܕܬܐ ܕܡܕܢܚܐ, ''ʿĒḏtā d-Maḏenḥā'') or the East Syriac Church, also called the Church of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, the Persian Church, the Assyrian Church, the Babylonian Church or the Nestorian C ...

, he was first in the generally recognized line of Bishops of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, who would later become the acknowledged head of the church. He was the first bishop to be given the title of

Catholicos Catholicos, plural Catholicoi, is a title used for the head of certain churches in some Eastern Christian traditions. The title implies autocephaly and in some cases it is the title of the head of an autonomous church. The word comes from ancient ...

, or universal leader, and set about restructuring the previously disorganized Persian church. Some historians describe him as the founding figure of the Church of the East, though according to Syriac tradition, he was simply continuing a line of leaders, such as

Mar Mari Saint Mari, also known as Mares and originally named Palut, is a saint of the Church of the East. He was converted by Thaddeus of Edessa, or Addai, and is said to have had Mar Aggai as his spiritual director. Missionary work He is believed to ...

, that stretched back to

Thomas the Apostle Thomas the Apostle ( arc, 𐡀𐡌𐡅𐡕𐡌, hbo, תוֹמא הקדוש or תוֹמָא שליחא (''Toma HaKadosh'' "Thomas the Holy" or ''Toma Shlikha'' "Thomas the Messenger/Apostle" in Hebrew-Aramaic), syc, ܬܐܘܡܐ, , meaning "twi ...

. Prior to Papa's consecration the Christian community in Seleucia-Ctesiphon had no organized leadership or established episcopal succession. According to the scholar Mschikha-Zca, two visiting bishops, Akha d'abuh' of Arbil and the Bishop of Susa, appointed Papa so that the Persian capital might have its own bishop and diocese. This probably occurred around 280. He was considered a strong-willed and hot-tempered

statesman A statesman or stateswoman typically is a politician who has had a long and respected political career at the national or international level. Statesman or Statesmen may also refer to: Newspapers United States * ''The Statesman'' (Oregon), a n ...

, as well as a capable scholar in both the Persian and Syriac tongues. During his tenure Papa made a substantial and controversial reorganization of the Persian church, setting himself up as head of a hierarchy of other bishops. For these efforts he was recognized as

of the Church in 315. Since he was the leader of the Christian minority ('' melet'') in the

Sassanid Empire The Sasanian () or Sassanid Empire, officially known as the Empire of Iranians (, ) and also referred to by historians as the Neo-Persian Empire, was the last Iranian empire before the early Muslim conquests of the 7th-8th centuries AD. Named ...

(which was primarily

Zoroastrian Zoroastrianism is an Iranian religion and one of the world's oldest organized faiths, based on the teachings of the Iranian-speaking prophet Zoroaster. It has a dualistic cosmology of good and evil within the framework of a monotheistic on ...

), Papa was also in touch with the King and the King's ministers, as the ''melet-bashi'', the leader of the minority. His changes, especially his attempt to establish the bishopric at Seleucia as the authority over the rest of the Persian Church had strong opposition. A council was called in Seleucia in 315 to investigate charges of personal misconduct. The two primary opponents were Aqib-Alaha, Bishop of Karka d'Baith Slok; and Miles, the non-resident Bishop of Susa. Papa refused to submit to the council's authority, "exalting himself above the bishops who were assembled to judge him." An angry exchange followed, as Miles demanded that Papa be judged, if not by man, then by the Gospel, and produced a copy of the Gospel from his own satchel and placed it on a cushion. Papa, furious, struck the book with his hand, exclaiming, "Then speak, Gospel, speak!" The sacrilege stunned the council's attendees, but then Papa fell senseless, struck with paralysis or apoplexy, or possibly a stroke. The Council accordingly accepted all accusations towards Papa as proven, and he was deposed.Wigram, p. 52 His

archdeacon An archdeacon is a senior clergy position in the Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church, Syriac Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion, St Thomas Christians, Eastern Orthodox churches and some other Christian denominations, above that o ...

Simeon Barsabae Simeon () is a given name, from the Hebrew (Biblical ''Šimʿon'', Tiberian ''Šimʿôn''), usually transliterated as Shimon. In Greek it is written Συμεών, hence the Latinized spelling Symeon. Meaning The name is derived from Simeon, son ...

, was consecrated in his place, though he was reluctant to accept. Papa recovered from his illness, though without the use of one of his arms. Resolving to recover his title as well, he appealed to the

Bishop of Edessa Early bishops The following list is based on the records of the ''Chronicle of Edessa'' (to ''c''.540) and the '' Chronicle of Zuqnin''. Jacobite (Syriac) bishops These bishops belonged to the Syriac Orthodox Church. During the later period the ...

, S'ada, and possibly also to James of Nisibis. As a result, the charges against Papa were annulled, though reports differ as to whether his accusers themselves were deposed. Papa continued as bishop for another 12 years, dying peacefully around 327 or 328.Wigram, p. 55-56 He was succeeded by Mar Simeon Barsabae.

Notes

References

* * * {{authority control 328 deaths Patriarchs of the Church of the East Christians in the Sasanian Empire Year of birth unknown 3rd-century bishops Bishops of Seleucia-Ctesiphon