Il movimento di traduzione dei padri antiocheni nella Chiesa di Persia, da Hiba di Edessa a Mar Aba

Abstract The aim of the contribution is to provide a comprehensive review of the dossier on the Syriac translations of the Antiochene theologians, which underpins the confessional identity of the East Syrian Church: Theodore of Mopsuestia, Diodorus of Tarsus and Nestorius of Constantinople. In this way, it want to reinsert the complex pro- cess of these translations within the framework of the history of the East Syrian Church between the fifth and sixth centuries. The contribution emphasises the role played by these texts in the dissemination of radical Dyophysitism across the Iranian dioceses. It also underlines their relevance for the East Syrian exegetical culture. Finally, it analy- ses Mar Aba’s patristic research during his journey across the Eastern Roman Empire before becoming catholicos, his recovery of liturgical works falsely attributed to Theodore and Nestorius, and his finding and promoting translation of Nestorius’ Liber Heraclidis. The study of the social network of scholars linked to Mar Aba provides insight into the real significance for the hierarchy of the East Syrian Church of the activity of translating Nestorius’ work. Far from being the result of an agenda aimed at radicalising the theological perspective of this church, it aimed at keeping a channel open with Chalcedonian circles. An attempt that would find its failure precisely with the Three Chapters controversy.