'Reconnaissances in Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, North-West Persia, and Luristan from April to October 1888. By Lt F R Maunsell, Intelligence Branch. In Two Volumes. Volume I: narrative report, description of larger towns and routes leading from them. Simla: Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Dept, 1890' [‎90v] (185/312)

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133
Ecclesiastical organisation.
to the Persian frontier, and into the fertile plain country, bordering the west
shores of Lake Urmia.
The following is the ecclesiastical organization among the Nestorians;
also forming a large part of the secular organization :
The head of the “ Church of the East ” is called both “ Patriarch ” and
“ Catholicos/^ He is commonly known as Mar Shi-
mun. In writing he uses also his baptismal name.
Thus the presentPatriarch writes “ Reuil Shimun."
His elected successor is now a Bishop called Mar Auraham, but when he
becomes Patriarch, he will be called Mar Shimun.
The succession is thus managed. There is always kept up in the family
, r , „ . „ „ , . a succession of youths who have never eaten meat
archs and Bishops. or married. One ot these w JNazintes, as they are
called, is chosen during the lifetime of the Patriarch
to be the successor, and the others then eat meat, and are disabled from
holding the Episcopal office.
The present “ natir kursi ” (holder of the seat) of Mar Shimun is a young
man of about twenty-four, and has already been consecrated Bishop some few
years. A similar arrangement holds good with regard to all the Bishops'. No
Bishop or Nazirate is allowed to eat meat or to marry.
Until lately when it was necessary to choose a successor for the Patriarchate
the two tribes of Tkhoma and Tiari agreed together, and selected one of the
Nazirites of the patriarchal family. This has often led to disputes. When
the present Mar Shimun was appointed, one party wished to have another
candidate and tried to have him consecrated at Mosul as rival Patriarch or at
least a Bishop, but by the influence of Mr. Rassam, the British Vice-Consul
there, they were unsuccessful. Now the selection of a successor seems to be
more of a family affair.
Mar Shimun exercises temporal as well as spiritual jurisdiction, es
pecially over the tribal or quasi-independent Nestorians of Tiari, Tkhoma,
Jelu, and the other valleys of Kurdistan. He appoints the “ Maliks ” or head
men of each district, but these mountaineers by no means understand the
doctrine of passive obedience, and their independent nature sometimes makes
them resent the wishes of the Patriarch.
This temporal jurisdiction is to a great extent recognized by the Turks.
The Turkish Government of late have made a grant to Mar Shimun (about
£15 per mensem)in order that they may have a greater hold on him.
In temporal as well as ecclesiastical jurisdiction the Patriarch is assisted
by his family council, which has a large voice in managing affairs.
There is now only one Mattran or Metropolitan, namely, that of Shams-
din, who bears the dynastic name of Mar Khnan-
e ropo i an. ishu. It is his duty to invest the new Patriarch and
he is second in rank in the Church. Formerly there were others. The last
Bishop of Urmia was so styled because the Patriarch once lived there.
The present Mar Khnanishu from the piety of his chax*acter exercises a
wide influence over the other Bishops and the Church at large.
, Next to the Patriarch and the Mattran come the
Bishops. t, • ,
Bishops.
There are at present eight in Turkey and two in Persia, viz.,-—
The Patriarch Mar Shimun, who resides at Kochannis near Julamerk.
Mar Isaac, the Mattran, who lives in Shamsdin.
Mar Johannan of Shamsdin.
Mar Sor Ishu of Gavvar.
Mar Sergis of Jelu.