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Isaac of Nineveh

c. 613 – c. 700 · b. Beth Qatraye · Bishop of Nineveh
bishopmonktheologian

East Syriac (Church of the East) ascetic and mystical writer. Briefly bishop of Nineveh before retiring to a monastic life of solitude. Author of the Ascetical Homilies (preserved in two main 'parts' in Syriac), addressing prayer, repentance, divine love, and the stages of the spiritual life. Despite belonging to the so-called 'Nestorian' church, his writings were translated into Greek in the 9th century and became deeply influential in later Byzantine and Slavic Orthodox spirituality.

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Sources for biography

  • Isaac of Nineveh, Ascetical Homilies (First Part) primary
  • ODCC s.v. Isaac the Great (of Nineveh) secondary
  • Sebastian Brock, ed. and trans., Isaac of Nineveh (Isaac the Syrian): The Second Part secondary

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