Sulāqā, John

SULĀQĀ, JOHN. - First Chaldean patriarch of Mosul, martyr of the union with Rome. Born in Mosul around 1510 and died there at the beginning of 1555. From his adolescence he was 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 tired of seeing the patriarchal dignity become the patrimony of a single 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 six months. He was questioned about his faith, which was approved. He was then preconized by Pope Julius III as patriarch of Mosul on 20 Febr. 1553 and consecrated in the basilica of St. Peter (p. 6) Apr. He received the pallium on 28 Apr. Accompanied by Ambrose Buttigieg, created titular bishop of Avara, S. left Rome and entered Amed (Diarbekir) solemnly on 12 Nov. Later, through the machinations 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 14 months and was killed by the Turks at the instigation of the Bar Māmā family. S. inaugurates the group of Eastern Syrians united with Rome and called Chaldeans (v.).

Ignazio Ortiz de Urbina