Narsai

• He was a theologian of the Nestorian Church and the founder of the School of Nisibis.
• He was born in a village north-east of Mosul.
• Left an orphan at an early age, Narsai was reared in a monastery where his uncle was the abbot.
• He subsequently studied for ten years at the School of Edessa.
• His uncle tried to keep him in his monastery and make him his successor, but his love of teaching brought him back to Edessa ca. 435.
• On the death of Qiyore in 437, who was the director of

the School, he was unanimously elected to succeed him. He directed the school for 20 years, propagating the doctrine of Theodore of Mopsuestia and maintaining a friendship with Ibas, bishop of Edessa.

• When Ibas died, his successor Nonnus who was a strong opponent of Nestorianism dismissed him.
• After persuasion from Barsauma, bishop of Nisibis, he founded the School of Nisibis and was its director for many years. It replaced that of Edessa which was closed in 489.
• He was later to come into conflict with Barsauma, and it is believed that the cause of the conflict was a nun named Mamoe whom Barsauma married.
• He was the most influential exponent of Nestorian doctrine.

• Narsai’s theology is not original, but is that of Theodore of Mopsuestia who was his true teacher.
• His literary works are displayed in three fields: Exegesis, preaching, and liturgy.
• Some of his liturgical compositions are attributed to other authors, e.g. St. Ephraem and Balai. But he wrote 82 (or 84) authentic homilies (memre) in twelve-syllable verse, on liturgical, theological, exegetical, and moral subjects, of which only half have been published.
• He wrote 360 articles, in twelve books, similar in

number to the days of the year.

• The articles contradicted the beliefs of St. Jacob of Sarug. They also strongly promoted Nestorianism and contained many insults and offensive remarks directed at St. Cyril of Alexandria.
• His writings show that Narsai considered Diodore, Theodore, and “Mar” Nestorius, as great teachers of the Church.
• He wrote an article rebuking his friend Barsauma for marrying a nun.
• He wrote two long discourses concerning the offering of the liturgy, and the sacraments of Baptism and Priesthood.
• His writings are used in prayers and services of the Nestorian Church.