Saint Maruthas | |
|---|---|
.jpeg) Maruthas portrayed in theMenologion of Basil II | |
| Father of the Syrian Church[1] | |
| Born | 4th century |
| Died | ca. 420 |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholicism Eastern Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Oriental Orthodoxy |
| Feast | 4 December (Roman Catholic Church)[1] |
Maruthas orMarutha of Martyropolis was a Syriac monk who becamebishop[2] ofMaypherkat inMesopotamia (Meiafarakin)[3] for a period beginning before 399 up to around 410. He is believed to have died before 420. He is venerated as a saint in theCatholic,Greek Orthodox andOriental Orthodox Churches, his feast being kept on 4 December.
He brought into his episcopal city the relics of so many martyrs that it received the Greek monikerMartyropolis. During his tenure as bishop he was a friend of Byzantine churchmanJohn Chrysostom. Moreover, it was through this political connections he was able to act as an envoy and ambassador between the East Roman Emperor and the Persian Emperor.[2]
In the interests of the Church ofPersia, which had suffered much in the persecution ofShapur II, he came toConstantinople, but found EmperorArcadius too busily engaged in the affairs about the exile of St. John Chrysostom. Later Maruthas was sent by EmperorTheodosius II to the court of Persia, where, notwithstanding theMagi, he won the esteem of KingYazdegerd I of Persia by his affability, saintly life,[4] and, as is claimed, by his knowledge of medicine.[3] Marutha therefore managed to negotiate a peace between the two empires.
He was present at the generalFirst Council of Constantinople in 381 and at a Council ofAntioch in 383 (or 390), at which theMessalians were condemned. For the benefit of the Persian Church he is said to have held two synods atCtesiphon.[5] A great organizer, he was one of the first to give a regular structure to the church, helped in his mission by thecatholicos Isaac.
His writings include:
He also wrote hymns on the Holy Eucharist, on the Cross, and on saints killed in Shapur's persecution.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Maruthas".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
