to the Holy Land. But Denḥâ would not let him go further. Instead, he ordained him Metropolitan of Kathay and Wang (Northern China). Then Denḥâ died, and Mark succeeded him as Yaballâhâ III. He governed the Nestorian Church during its most brilliant period. Twenty-five Metropolitans, in Persia, Mesopotamia, Khorasan, Turkistan, India and China, obeyed him. He was on friendly terms with the Prince of the Mongols, under whose civil rule he lived. This prince (Argon Khan) thought of sending an embassy to the Emperor, the Pope and the Western princes; naturally, he imagined that a Christian ambassador would be most welcome. So he asked the Nestorian Patriarch to find him a suitable person. Yaballâhâ chose a monk, Rabban Ṣaumâ, who had come from China with him.[1] The Khan gave him letters for the Emperor, the Pope and others, and sent him off with plenty of money, three horses and a suite.
Rabban Ṣaumâ's embassy in Europe is one of the most curious episodes of later Nestorian history. By this time, the very existence of a Nestorian Church was almost forgotten in the West. Perhaps the most remarkable point in his adventures is the unquestioning confidence with which everyone takes his word that he is a good Christian, as they are. So entirely had suspicion of Nestorians died out, that even the Pope gave him Communion. Rabban Ṣaumâ came to Constantinople, saw what he calls "King Basileus" (evidently taking that for his name), the Holy Wisdom, all the relics and wonders. Then he comes to Italy, lands at Naples, and sees King "Irid Ḥarladu."[2] At that time Irid Ḥarladu was fighting the King of "Arkun" (Aragon). Honest Ṣaumâ is amazed that in European war only combatants are killed. Not so is war waged in his country. Arrived at Rome, he finds the Pope just dead.[3] Instead of a Pope he finds twelve great lords, called "Kardīnāle." He says he has come from King Argon and the Katholikos of the East. The Cardinals ask him who founded his Church (clearly they have never heard of it), and he says: "Mâr Thomas, Mâr Addai, Mâr Maris; we have
- ↑ Rabban Ṣaumâ was born at Ḥan-bāliḳ (which is Pekin).
- ↑ This astonishing name is simply "il re Carlo due" (Chabot: op. cit. p. 60).
- ↑ Honorius IV († Apr. 3, 1287).
John (Journal asiatique, Jan.–Feb. 1895). It tells the story of his life, and throws light on the state of the Nestorians in his time.
