SPEAR Factoids about Jacob Baradaeus — ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܘܪܕܥܝܐ

“Bp. of Edessa (542–578) and missionary.” 1

In hagiography: Jacob Baradaeus is commemorated as a monk educated at the monastery of Phesilta. During the sixth-century struggle between miaphysite clergy and Chalcedonian bishops, Jacob ordained a separate hierarchy of miaphysite clergy. Because of his efforts, The Syrian Orthodox Church was sometimes called "The Jacobite church". He also negotiated with the empress Theodora and Harith, the Ghassanid client king. He was ordained by Theodosius of Alexandria and travelled extensively to revive the miaphysite clergy.

“Jacob was of crucial importance for the development of an independent miaphysite Syrian church in the second half of the sixth century. Consecrated bishop of Edessa by Theodosius of Alexandria in c.542, Jacob ordained a large number of priests in the following years thoughout Syria, thereby ensuring the survival of the miaphysite movement despite Justinian's policy to install Chalcedonian bishops in every city. He was the most authoritative anti-Chalcedonian bishop in Rome's eastern provinces. His position was such that even Paul of Antioch had to ask for his forgiveness after he had entered Chalcedonian communion in the early 570s. Joh. Eph., EH 4.15-34 treats the last years of his life and his conflict with Paul of Antioch.” 20

Syriaca.org URI: http://syriaca.org/person/69

Personal Information

Name variant(s):

James the Bishop See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus See factoid page

Birth:

Birth place: James was born in Thella . See factoid page

Sex:

Jacob Baradaeus was male. See factoid page

James was male. See factoid page

Sanctity:

James was a saint. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus was a saint. See factoid page

Occupation(s):

Jacob was a bishop. See factoid page

James was a bishop. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus was bishop of Edessa. See factoid page

James was an ascetic for fifteen years. See factoid page

Relationships

John of Ephesus commemorated Jacob Baradaeus See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus and Theodore were fellow clergy. See factoid page

John of Ephesus commemorated James. See factoid page

Sergius and Jacob Baradaeus were fellow clergy. See factoid page

Events

Jacob Baradaeus, Conon and Eugene traveled to Constantinople where Theodosius directed them to travel to Alexandria so that Conon and Eugene could be ordained bishops. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus and other bishops in Alexandria, with the blessing of Theodosius ordained Conon as bishop of Tarsus and Eugene as bishop of Seleucia. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus and other bishops in Alexandria, with the blessing of Theodosius ordained Eugene as bishop of Seleucia. See factoid page

After five years on Chios, Kashish was ordainedas bishop of Chios by Jacob Bardaeus and two other bishops (Conon and Eugene). See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained Dimet as bishop of Laodicea. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained John as bishop of Seleucia. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained John as bishop. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained Sergius as bishop of Harran. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained John as bishop of Sura Romanorum. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon traveled to Constantinople where they ordained Sergius as bishop of Antioch. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus and others ordained Paul as bishop of Antioch. See factoid page

In the city of Constantinople Jacob Baradaeus and others ordained Eunomius as bishop of Amida. See factoid page

Although Theodosius would not ordain clergy after leaving his see for exile in Constantinople, he nevertheless gave his blessing for Jacob Baradaeus and other clergy in Constantinople to ordain twelve bishops and many clergy for cities in Egypt and in Thebais. See factoid page

While traveling in Asia Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained John as bishop of Ephesus. See factoid page

While traveling in Asia Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained Peter as bishop of Smyrna. See factoid page

While traveling in Asia Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained John as bishop of Pergamum. See factoid page

While traveling in Asia Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon ordained Peter as bishop of Tralles. See factoid page

James studied at Fsiltha. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon traveled to Caria where they ordained Paul as bishop of Aphrodisias. See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus, Eugene, and Conon traveled to Caria where they ordained Julian as bishop of Alabanda. See factoid page

In 542/43 This regularized date was calculated by the SPEAR editor from a non-calendrical dating system such as regnal years, etc. During the sixteenth year of the reign of Justinian , at the request of Hereth Bar Gabala, Theodora ordered the ordination of non-Chalcedonian bishops: Jacob Baradaeus as bishop of Edessa and Theodore of Hirtha as bishop of Hirtha of the Saracens. This regularized date was calculated by the SPEAR editor from a non-calendrical dating system such as regnal years, etc. See factoid page

James and Sergius traveled to the royal city . See factoid page

James and Sergius were guests of the queen . See factoid page

Jacob Baradaeus Conon, and Eugene ordained non-Chalcedonian priests and bishops throughout the areas under his authority: Syria, Armenia, Cappadocia, Cilicia, Isauria, Pamphylia, Lycaonia, Lycia, Phrygia, Caria, Asia, Cyprus, Rhodes, Chios, Mitylene, and Constantinople. See factoid page

How to cite:

“Person Page for Jacob Baradaeus — ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܘܪܕܥܝܐ ,” in SPEAR: Syriac Persons Events and Relations, general editor Daniel L. Schwartz, https://dev.spear-prosop.org/aggregate/person/69.html, 2025-07-01.