SULĀQĀ, GIOVANNI. - First Chaldean patriarch of Mossul, martyr for union with Rome. Born in Mossul around 1510 and died there at the beginning of 1555. From his youth he had been a monk in the convent of Rabban Hormizd when, after the death of the Nestorian patriarch Bar Māmā (1551), S., then superior of the monks, was elected patriarch at the beginning of 1552.
This election was made by many bishops hitherto Nestorian, who were weary of seeing the patriarchal dignity become the property of one family. In order to obtain the protection of the West, S. was sent to Rome. On his journey he visited the Holy Places. Having arrived in Rome on 18 Nov. 1552, he remained there for six months. He was questioned concerning his faith, which was approved. He was then proclaimed patriarch of Mossul by Pope Giulio III on 20 Feb. 1553 and consecrated in the basilica of S. Pietro on 6 Apr. He received the pallium on 28 Apr. Accompanied by Ambrogio Buttigieg, created titular bishop of Avara, S. left Rome and made his solemn entry into Amed (Diarbekir) on 12 Nov. Later, through the action of the Bar Māmā family, he was thrown into prison, from which he emerged after four months. He then governed his patriarchate with great zeal for fourteen months and was killed by the Turks at the instigation of the Bar Māmā family. S. inaugurates the group of East Syrians united with Rome and called Caidei (v.).