The Book of Marganitha (The Pearl)

Book excerpt: This book, originally written in the Aramaic language was translated in the spring of 1964 by His Holiness, Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch of the Church of the East. This work was little known since the original printed copies were mostly destroyed. This reproduction represents no changes to the original translation with the exception of spelling corrections and standardizing the protocol from English to American diction. His Holiness Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch was the Supreme Head of the Church of the East, its Universal Pastor from 1920 until his assassination in 1975. Born in southern Turkey, His Holiness was raised with care, having received theological and liturgical training in the Middle East and in England at St. Augustines College and later Cambridge University. He worked tirelessly fighting for the Church and his Assyrian people. Often in danger of his life, he met with foreign diplomats and heads of states appealing to the League of Nations and later, the United Nations all the while contacting world leaders and discussing with them the Assyrian Questions. In later years, he was received throughout the Middle East by Islamic Heads of state in a most respectful and amiable of circumstances which speaks to his worldly sophistication and influence as a true leader. His Holiness was a profound scholar, an exemplary writer, a charismatic speaker and was a recognized subject matter expert in Ecclesiastical History and an authority the on History of Christianity in the Middle East and Far East. An innovative leader of the Church and Assyrian people, well schooled in both the ecclesiastical aspects of his vocation, as well as geo-political issues. Attuned to the needs of his flock and nation he mindfully navigated the tenuous landscape with uncompromising ethics, integrity and superior leadership, which were the hallmarks of his character and a truly remarkable Patriarch. His agility in managing both the secular and temporal affairs bespoke his magnificent stewardship of the Assyrian people and the Church of the East.