TEODORO bar WAHBŪN. — Jacobite writer, bishop, and anti-patriarch, originally from Melitene, d. 1192-93.
He served as secretary to the Jacobite patriarch MICHELE IL GRANDE and, in that capacity, took part in the union negotiations at Romqlah with the Greeks. Later, he rebelled against Michele and opposed him as anti-patriarch under the name of Giovanni. Eventually, he was recognized by Prince ARMEO LEON II of Cilicia (later king) as patriarch of the Jacobites within his realm.
Two letters, a polemical work against Patriarch Michele, and an explanation of the mysteries of the Church (ms. Charfet 4/1) are extant from him; the latter is important for understanding Jacobite doctrine on the Sacraments and their liturgical customs.
BIBL.: J. Gerber, Zwei Briefe Barvalbums, Halle 1911; W. de Vries, Sakramententheologie bei den syrischen Monophysiten, Roma 1940, p. 23 et passim. Guglielmo de Vries