This course builds on The Syriac Fathers I – but can be studied as a separate course as well. The course will cover the development and spread of the Syriac Orthodox Church after the Christianization of the Roman Empire. The course will highlight the council of Chalcedon and its impact on the eastern churches in general and the Syriac Orthodox Church in particular. After the council of Chalcedon a dialogue continued in the East concerning the council of Chalcedon but eventually, after the rise of the Arab Empire, a permanent schism developed. The rise of the Arab empire and the consequences for the self-understanding of the Syriac Orthodox Church will also be covered. In addition to the historical trajectory, some of the primary texts of the Syriac fathers will be read and discussed and in connection to these readings important theological themes will be covered such as kyono, qnumo, ousia, kyono mrakbo, parsufo, kine, gmire. Excerpts of some of the Syriac fathers from the 4th century up to the 9th century will be read, including: Philoxenus of Mabbugh, Severus of Antioch, Jacob of Sarugh, Jacob of Edessa, Cyril of Alexandria, John of Ephesus, Moses bar Kipho, John of Dara.
