Page:Syrian Churches (Etheridge).djvu/31

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THE SYRIAN CHURCHES.
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city of Arzan, which also bears his name at the present time. St. Thomas assembled with him, and remained with him some time before his departure for India. They both ordained Marus … Mar Adæus, having fulfilled the office of preaching twelve years and some months, departed, … and was buried in the great church at Edessa."

Bar Hebræus writes concerning Aghæus, that "he laboured fifteen years in the work of the gospel, and survived his master Adæus only three years." And of Marus, that, "when, after the martyrdom of his companion Aghæus, he could no longer continue in Edessa, he went into the East, and preached in Athur and in the land of Shinar." … And again, "Marus first discipled some of the people of Beth Garmi.[1] He afterwards endured great trials from them. He then came to Seleucia … When he entered the city, there was a sick man there, who, having been signed by him with the sign of the life-giving cross, opened his eyes, and said unto his men, 'I saw a vision of this stranger, as one descended from heaven; and he took me by the hands and raised me up; and as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw him sitting with me.' Then the men of that city received Marus as an angel of God, and he taught and baptized many of them, and began to build churches in that city, where he abode fifteen years, confirming them in the faith. Afterwards he went and passed through all quarters, working miracles and wonderful works; and, having fulfilled his preaching for thirty and three years, he departed to his Lord in a city named Badaraja, and was buried there in a church which he had built."

  1. Beth Garini, or Beit Germe, "the place of bones," a district of Koordistan, watered by the rivers Gomela and Hazir. It derives its name from the battle fought there between Darius and Alexander. It became a considerable Nestorian bishopric.