A highly educated theologian, renowned as “the controversialist.” He was famous for defending the orthodoxy of the Church and assisting its believers to remain steadfast in the true Orthodox faith.
He was consecrated as bishop of Beth-Arsham which lies on the shore of the River Tigris (near Al Madaen, modern Iraq) ca. 503.
He converted three leaders of the Magi sect who consequently became his disciples, and later became martyrs. He baptized many people in Hierat Al-No’man.
The Emperor Anastasius sent him as an ambassador to the Persian King, and as a result of his efforts, the king put an end to the hardships suffered by Christians.
He was imprisoned by the king of Persia for seven years in Nisibis.
He visited Constantinople three times, and his third visit was for the purpose of meeting Queen Theodora.
He died in Constantinople at an old age.
What he wrote
He wrote many theological discourses and epistles to the faithful.
A liturgy and a letter, which he wrote in 511, are still extant.
In the letter, he delivered the news of Barsauma of Nisibis, the spread of Nestorianism in Persia, and the closure of the School of Edessa. This letter is the most ancient document outlining these two famous events.
He also sent a second letter in 524 from Haira to Simeon, the abbot of the monastery of Gaboul, describing the martyrdom of the “Hemyar” Christians who were killed by the Jewish king of Yemen one year before the letter was written.