Jacob Baradaeus
| Jacob Elbaradei | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. late 5th century Tela Mauzalat |
| Died | July 30, 578 |
| Occupation | Bishop of Edessa |
| Predecessor | Addi of Edessa |
| Successor | Severus of Edessa |
| Parent(s) | Father: Theophilus Bar-Manu |
Jacob Elbaradei (Syriac:Yaʿqub Burdeana) (died July 30, 578) was Bishop of Edessa from 543 until his death. One of the most important figures in the history of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Oriental Orthodox churches generally, he was a defender of the Miaphysite movement in a time when its strength was declining. His instrumental efforts in reorganizing and revitalizing the community gave it its alternate name, the Jacobites.
Jacobus was ordained by the Miaphysite bishop of Edessa (c. AD 541), with ecumenical authority over the members of their body throughout the East. Through his activity, he rescued the Miaphysite community in Asia Minor and the East from the extinction (with which persecution by the Byzantine imperial power threatened it) through consecrating bishops, ordaining clergy, and uniting its scattered elements into an organization that has endured through all the many political and dynastic storms in the Middle East. Materials for his life are furnished by two Syriac biographies by his contemporary, John of Ephesus, whom Jacobus ordained bishop of Ephesus, printed by Land, and by the third part of the Ecclesiastical History of the same author.
His surname Baradaeus is derived from the ragged mendicant's garb patched up from old saddle blankets, in which he disguised his spiritual functions from the eyes of the authorities, while he carried out his journeys through Syria and Mesopotamia.
John of Ephesus reports that Jacobus was born at Tela Mauzalat (Tell Mawzalto), otherwise called Constantina, a city of Osrhoene, 55 miles to the east of Edessa, near the close of the 5th century. His father, Theophilus Bar-Manu, was a priest in Tela Mauzalat. In obedience to his parent's vow, Jacobus was placed at the age of two in the local monastery under the care of abbot Eustathius, and trained in Greek and Syriac literature and in the strictest asceticism. He became remarkable for the severity of his self-discipline. Having on the death of his parents inherited their property, including a couple of slaves, he manumitted them, and made over the house and estate to them, reserving nothing for himself. He eventually became a presbyter. His fame spread, reaching the Byzantine empress Theodora, who eagerly desired to meet him, as one of the chief figures of the anti-Chalcedonian movement. James was with much difficulty convinced to leave his monastery for Constantinople. Arriving at the imperial capital, he was received with much honor by Theodora. But the splendor of the court had no attractions for him, and he retired to one of the monasteries of the city, where he lived as a complete recluse.
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