HENÂNĂ of ADIABENE. - A noted Syrian theologian, d. 610. Although formerly a pupil of the school of Nisibis, where Nestorian tendencies were encouraged, H., having become head of the school in 572, taught his 800 pupils a theology of an entirely different character. He indeed declared himself to be of pro-Alexandrian and therefore, at that time, Monophysite tendencies; he adopted many, even erroneous, doctrines of Origen; accepted the term «theotokos»; and rejected the works of Theodore of Mopsuestia, in which he recognized both Nestorian errors and those of Pelagius. Despite the reaction aroused by H.'s innovations in the ecclesiastical milieu of Nisibis, he was able, thanks to the support of the Persian Emperor, to continue his teaching.
Among his works worthy of mention are the commemorations of the Golden Friday, those of the Fast of the Ninevites, and of the Miracle of St. Peter (Acts 3:1–10), edited by A. Scher (PO 7, 53–87).