Denha I | |
|---|---|
| Syriac Orthodox Grand Metropolitan of the East | |
| Church | Syriac Orthodox Church |
| Installed | 649 |
| Term ended | 659 |
| Predecessor | Marutha |
| Successor | Barishoʿ |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 3 November659 |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 2 October |
| Venerated in | Syriac Orthodox Church |
Denha I (Syriac:ܕܢܚܐ ܩܕܡܝܐ ܡܦܪܝܢܐ ܕܬܓܪܝܬ,Arabic:دنحا الاول مفريان المشرق)[1] was the Syriac OrthodoxGrand Metropolitan of the East from 649 until his death in 659.[2] He is commemorated as a saint by theSyriac Orthodox Church in theMartyrology of Rabban Sliba, and his feast day is2 October.[3]
Denha became a monk at themonastery of Saint Matthew nearMosul and studied underMarutha, who would later ascend to the office of Grand Metropolitan of the East, the highest-ranking prelate amongst themiaphysite bishops in the formerSasanian Empire.[4] After Marutha's death on 2 May 649 (AG 960), Denha was chosen to succeed him and was thus brought before the PatriarchTheodore and ordained as archbishop ofTikrit and Grand Metropolitan of the East.[5] It was formerly asserted by the FrenchorientalistRubens Duval that Denha was the first miaphysite Grand Metropolitan of the East to hold the titlemaphrian,[6] however, it was likely not in use untilc. 1100.[7] He served until his death on 3 November 659 (AG 970) and he was buried with Marutha at the cathedral in the citadel of Tikrit.[5]
Denha wrote ahagiography of Marutha (Brit. Mus. MS. 14645), which was later translated by the FrenchSyriacistFrançois Nau.[4]
| Preceded by | Syriac Orthodox Grand Metropolitan of the East 649–659 | Succeeded by |
| Grand metropolitans of the East (559–1075) | |
|---|---|
| Maphrians of the East (1075–1859) |
|
| Catholicoi of the East (1964–2002) |
|
| Catholicoi of India (2002–present) |
|
† Illegitimate;§ Maphrian of Malabar | |
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