Sergius of Tella

Sergius of Tella (Syriac: ܣܪܓܝܤ ܕܬܠܐ‎) was the Patriarch of Antioch, and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church from 544 until his death in 546.

Biography

Sergius was born in the city of Tella, and became a priest and friend of Saint Jacob Baradaeus.^[1] He also tutored Athanasius, grandson of Empress Theodora.^[2]

In 544, Sergius was consecrated Patriarch of Antioch at Constantinople,^[1] by Saint Jacob Baradaeus, Bishop of Edessa, thus cementing the division of the Church of Antioch into what would become known as the Syriac Orthodox Church and Antiochian Orthodox Church.^[3] He remained at the imperial capital until his death.^[1]

References

Bibliography

• Allen, Pauline (2011). "Episcopal Election in Antioch in the Sixth Century". Episcopal Elections in Late Antiquity. Walter de Gruyter.
• Martindale, John R.; Jones, A.H.M.; Morris, John (1992), The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, Volume III: AD 527–641
• Melton, J. Gordon (2014). Faiths Across Time: 5,000 Years of Religious History. ABC-CLIO.