Mor John of Tella

Mor John of Tella

February 6th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. John of Tella +538 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church.Mor Yuhannon Tella d-mawzlat also known as Yuhannon bar Qursos was born in Callinicum (modern day Al-Raqqa Northern Syria) to a wealthy family. He was well educated in Syriac & Greek. After working in the army for some years, he embraced the life of monasticism by joining Dayro d-Mor Zakkay just outside his hometown. John studied theology & religious sciences following which he was ordained priest. In the year 519 he was ordained bishop of Tella by Mor Yac'ub of Serugh. He was soon appointed by Mor Severus the Great of Antioch as a general representative of the Patriarchate.Roman Emperor Justin I exiled John because of his staunch adherence to the true Orthodox faith. Like Mor Yac'ub Burd’ono, Mor Yuhannon Tella d-mawzlat ordained thousands of priests & deacons, spending his time propagating the true Orthodox (Miaphysite) doctrine especially in the midst of Chalcedonian oppression. John would travel to Jazira followed by Sinjar where he'd reside for 16 years. In AD 532 he traveled to Constantinople to meet with Chalcedonian bishops, where he defended the Orthodox position. John would travel to Persia where he had been twice before. He was caught while helping build an underground church for the Orthodox in the mountains of Shighar; his persecutors brought him to Antioch. Chalcedonian Patriarch Ephrem of Amid held a council in Ras Ayn to change the mind of John, but it was in vain. Angered, Ephrem detained & persecuted John. Mor Yuhannon would die in captivity at the age of 55. His biography was written by his disciple monk Elijah.Even in the midst of persecution & constant travels, Mor Yuhannon continued to be a writer. He compiled 48 canons for the monks & 27 canons for clergy along with a commentary of the Trisagion. His most famous work remains his "Profession of Faith"Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church'Oh Mor Yuhannon Tella d-mawzlat! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.Life of Mor John of Tella: https://bit.ly/LifeJohnTellaBL17134