Syrian Orthodox Church
The
Syrian Orthodox or
Jacobite church is an
autocephalous Christian church of
Syria,
Iraq, and
India, recognizing the
Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of
Antioch as its spiritual head. It is regarded by
Roman Catholics and
Eastern Orthodox as heretical (because of the
Monophysite beliefs), but is in communion with the
Coptic Church and other
Oriental Orthodox churches. There is also a schismatic Jacobite group called the
Syrian Catholic Church that has entered into communion with the Roman Catholic Church and is one of the
Eastern Rites.
The church broke from the Orthodox Church of Antioch in the sixth century, after the Council of Chalcedon condemed its Monophysite teachings. It was established by Jacob Baradaeus, helped by Empress Theodora; however, Jacobite tradition traces their origin directly to St. Peter who founded the original Church of Antioch in 37 AD.
The Syrian Jacobite liturgy is performed in Syriac.
The seat of the Patriarchy of this church, although originally in Antioch, is now in Damascus, Syria.
External links