After a few words of conversation, John and Yin Sak looked embarrassed.
This hanging cross belongs to the territory of God Jesus, and it is also a branch of the Orthodox Church. However, it belongs to the Assyrian sect, a heresy of the Orthodox Church!
The Assyrian sect, also called the Nestorian sect, was founded by Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, seven hundred years ago. It advocates the "two-nature and two-person theory of Christ."
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In 431 AD, at the Council of Ephesus, the Assyrian sect was deemed a heresy, and Nestorius was removed from his position as patriarch, excommunicated from the church, and finally died in Egypt.
It is said that the Assyrian Church spread eastward into Persia and received the protection of the Persian king. Together with Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism, it became the three mainstream religions in Persia. Unexpectedly, hundreds of years later, it actually spread here.
This priest's name is An Sixian, whose Greek name is Antioch. Although his face still has some Greek features, there are not many of them. It has more features of Persians, Turks and Song people.
According to himself, he was born and raised in Quanzhou, and his ancestors came to Quanzhou with the mission more than two hundred years ago and settled here.
After understanding the whole story, Yinsak, a devout Orthodox believer, wanted to say a few perfunctory words and then leave quickly. But John secretly held him back and continued talking to Antioch.
"Antioch, how are your days in Quanzhou?"
"It's pretty good. I studied theology for two years at the Nestorian Theological Seminary in Kaifeng, got my degree, and then was sent back to my hometown to be a priest. Our Nestorian church was short of people, so I was promoted to a priest within two years. Now I'm married.
It’s great to have a wife and children, and a monthly salary from the court.”
Looking at the young priest who had no desires and desires and was living quietly in peace, Yin Sak couldn't help but feel a little jealous in his heart.
John was still talking to the side, "Antioch, are there not many people in our church? Not many believers? This church is much more deserted than the Saracen church not far away."
"Our Nestorianism was much more prosperous in the pre-Tang Dynasty, and was on par with the Green Religion of the Saracens. However, in this dynasty, Buddhism and Taoism emerged, and Nestorianism, Green Religion, and Ao Religion all declined. Only in Quanzhou and Guangzhou
There are more Saracens coming and going here, so the Green Church seems lively. But in terms of influence on the court, it must belong to our Nestorian Church."
John's eyes lit up and he asked: "Why do you say that?"
"At that time, the officials issued an edict to support Buddhism and Taoism, and established the Patriotic Federation of Western Religions. The Green Sect, Manichaeism, Ao Sect, and Youtai Sect have been hesitant and on the sidelines, not daring to respond. Our Archbishop Anasius Di
A response led us, the Nestorians, to be the first to join the Patriotic Federation of Western Religions in the Song Dynasty."
"So, our Archbishop Anasius became the chairman of the Western Patriotic Federation and the chief elder of the Presbyterian Church. He was also awarded the honor of a Jiayi doctor and could go to the Jiayi House of Zhongshu Province to discuss legislation and discuss state affairs. In many ways
In the Western sect, he is one of the few who can directly speak to the senior officials of the Zhongshu Province and the Ministry of Rites."
John's eyes became brighter and brighter, and Yinsak next to him also understood John's thoughts, and his eyes also lit up.
"We come from Constantinople this time with a mission. The Roman Empire wants to establish friendly relations with the powerful empire in the east, the Song Dynasty. Your sect comes from Constantinople and believes in the same God as us.
Believers, we also ask you to help us, help us contact the people in the court, express our intentions, and facilitate this extraordinary thing."
At this point, John added a few words, "The Roman Empire and the Song Empire have become brotherly countries. You can also go back and see. Wanderers who have been wandering for hundreds of years also have the opportunity to go home."
An Sixian looked a little excited, "Nestorianism has been passed down from generation to generation, saying that we came from Constantinople. But it is too far away from us from the Roman Empire, so it can only exist in our legends. Hundreds of years have passed, we and Persia
People, Turks, Uighurs, and Song people intermarried and tenaciously held on to our beliefs."
"It's just a pity that fewer and fewer people agree with and follow our faith. Our scriptures have long been translated into Persian and Tocharian. Even Greek is only passed down orally when explaining the scriptures.
Now the government has promulgated a new law, and all sects must use Chinese for their preaching and scriptures. In the church, there are fewer and fewer people who can speak Greek..."
"Now you are suddenly here, bringing not only news from Constantinople, but also a friendly request from the Roman Empire. This may really be God's arrangement! Archbishop Anasius will definitely be very happy."
After saying a few words, An Sixian turned to the topic, "I am writing a letter to Archbishop Anasius. He is my teacher. He will be very happy to see you, and he will definitely contribute to the friendship between the Song Empire and the Roman Empire.
, make a contribution. In addition, I will also write you a letter, addressed to Brother Maxim of the Shanghai Church."
"Brother Maxim is very amazing. He is not only proficient in theology, but also in mathematics and geography. His knowledge has been praised by academicians and professors from the Great Song Dynasty Gewu Academy and Piyong University. But he wholeheartedly wants to serve the Lord, so he is
Sent to serve as priest in a newly built church in Shanghai."
"But not only was he hired as a professor of mathematics at Sanwu University, he was also a good friend of Jiangdong County Sheriff Sun Daguanren. Changsun Daguanren was an amazing big shot. He could directly see our officials. Oh, God
.If Brother Maxim can help you get some promises from Changsun Daguan, I believe you will be able to complete your mission soon."
When John heard this, he was pleasantly surprised.
"Antioch, is the grandson you mentioned a big shot?"
"Oh, God. Changsun Daguanren is a very big man. He is the secretary of the official family and the provincial minister, and he also served as Lingbei..."
An Sixian talked about a series of duties, which made John and Yin Sak excited and anxious.
It sounds like a big official position, but what kind of position is it? What power does it have? I don't understand it at all. I'm really worried.
Seeing the expressions of the two people, An Sixian knew that he would not be able to explain it for a while, so he could only say simply: "He used to be the chief staff of the official family, and he once helped the official family conquer Mobei, that is, the Huns.
The former hometown and territory of the Turks. Now he is sent to the south of the Yangtze River as a county governor. Everyone says that he is preparing to become the prime minister."
"Prime Minister?"
"The chief official of Shangshu Province works for the official family. Our Emperor of the Song Dynasty governs the country."
Hiss - John and Yin Sak took a breath. If they could establish such a relationship, their chances of succeeding in their mission would be much greater.
While John continued to develop friendship with An Sixian, Yin Sak hurried back to the ship Bing 46, panting, which startled the guards, Dabai Ke and Charité, who were saluting.
Yinsak thought for a while, took two gifts, and hurried back to the Nestorian church.
"This is a silver cross that was baptized in Hagia Sophia and worn by the Patriarch. It is not valuable, but it is very meaningful. This is a Greek version of Homer's Epic. I hope you like it."
An Sixian accepted the two gifts excitedly and said without hesitation: "Thank you very much! This gift is so precious!"
After coming out of the church, they waved goodbye to An Sixian. John and Yin Sak walked a short distance and met up with Duda, who had just excused himself to go out for a walk, and went to eat together.
"Mr. Yue, Mr. Yi, you seem to be very happy. What happy event have you encountered?"
John and Yinsak looked at each other and replied with a smile: "We met people who have been from our hometown for hundreds of years, and we chatted for a few words, so we were very happy."
“It’s really worth being happy to meet an old friend in a foreign country.”
John couldn't help but touch the two letters in his arms. He was overjoyed and felt much more at ease. This chapter has been completed!
