Between Constantinople, the Papacy, and the Caliphate: The Melkite Church in the Islamicate World, 634-969

This volume explores the Melkite church from the Arab invasion of Syria in 634 until 969, examining its transition from a privileged position to a religious minority. It also explores Caliphate-Byzantine interactions, cultural and religious influences, the synthesis of Greek, Arab, and Syriac elements, the process of Arabization, and Melkite relations with distant Rome.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the history of the Melkite church,spanning from the Arab invasion of Syria in 634 to 969. The Melkite Patriarchates, established in Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria, faced a significant transformation following the Arab campaigns in Syria and Egypt, as they came under the control of the newly established Muslim state. Over the ensuing decades, the Melkite church experienced a gradual marginalization, transitioning from its privileged position as the state confession to becoming one of the religious minorities within the Caliphate. This transition occurred amidst intricate theological and political exchanges with the Byzantine Empire, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Papacy, and eventually, the re-emerging Roman Empire in the West.

In its exploration, this volume delves into various aspects of the Melkite church, including the intricate dynamics between the Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire, the cultural and religious influences of Constantinople, the synthesis of Greek, Arab, and Syriac elements, the process of Arabization of communities, and the complex relations between the Melkite church and distant Rome. Through a detailed examination of these themes, the book sheds light on the complex and evolving nature of the Melkite church during this pivotal period of history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032181325