The Syriac World

The Syriac World by Françoise Briquel Chatonnet and Muriel Debié offers a comprehensive survey of Syriac Christianity, tracing its origins from Hellenistic and ancient Near Eastern cultures to the present day.

Often referred to as the third main language of Christianity after Latin and Greek, Syriac remains a foundational classical, literary, and religious language throughout the world. Originating in Mesopotamia along the Roman and Parthian frontiers, it was never the language of a powerful state or ethnic group. However, with the coming of Christianity, Syriac developed into a rich religious and cultural tradition.

At the same time that Christianity was making its way through Europe, Syriac missionaries were founding churches from the Mediterranean coast to Persia, converting the Turkic tribes of Central Asia, and building communities in India and China.

This comprehensive work explores the underexplored story of the Syriac world over three thousand years, from its pre-Christian roots in the Aramaic tribes and the ancient Near East to its vibrant expressions in modern diaspora churches. Enhanced with beautiful images, songs, poems, and important primary source texts, this book reveals the significant role of Syriac history, theology, and literature in the twenty-first century.