THE SYRIAC LIFE OF JOHN OF TELLA AND THE FRONTIER POLITEIA

After the Syrian bishop John of Tella died in 538 C.E., his disciple Elias wrote his hagiography and recounted his ministry of priestly ordinations within the frontier zone of Rome and Persia. Elias and other contemporary anti-Chalcedonians of Syria conceived of the network of priests and ascetics that John created along the frontier as a politeia, a society that could transcend the imperial boundaries that divided Roman and Persian territories. Elias’ viewpoints are thereby significant in showing how John’s partisans understood his ministry, and they demonstrate how John’s politeia could be regarded as a viable alternative to participating in imperial systems that sustained idolatrous behavior.

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