Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 30, 2026

Shemon VI

Mar Shemʿon VI was Patriarch of the Church of the East from 1504 until his death on 5 August 1538. Shemon is credited with revising the East Syriac Rite, replacing commemorations of traditional saints and martyrs with new ones, especially for those who had founded monasteries. Following his death, he was succeeded as Patriarch by his brother Shemon VII Ishoyahb, who had been natar kursya throughout his reign; since the reign of Shemon IV the role of Patriarch had been passed hereditarily. Shemon VI was buried alongside other Patriarchs of his era at Rabban Hormizd Monastery near Mosul, his residence while he had been Patriarch; his epitaph, recorded by Vosté, was inscribed by a priest named Israel.

Last revised
Jul 30, 2026
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Mar

Shemʿon VI
Patriarch of the Church of the East
ChurchChurch of the East
SeeSeleucia-Ctesiphon
Installed1504
Term ended5 August 1538
PredecessorEliya V
SuccessorShemon VII Ishoyahb
Personal details
Born15th century
Died5 August 1538
BuriedRabban Hormizd Monastery
ResidenceRabban Hormizd Monastery

Mar Shemʿon VI (also written Shimun VI) was Patriarch of the Church of the East from 1504 until his death on 5 August 1538.12 Shemon is credited with revising the East Syriac Rite, replacing commemorations of traditional saints and martyrs with new ones, especially for those who had founded monasteries.3 Following his death, he was succeeded as Patriarch by his brother Shemon VII Ishoyahb, who had been natar kursya (designated successor) throughout his reign; since the reign of Shemon IV the role of Patriarch had been passed hereditarily.4 Shemon VI was buried alongside other Patriarchs of his era at Rabban Hormizd Monastery near Mosul, his residence while he had been Patriarch; his epitaph, recorded by Vosté, was inscribed by a priest named Israel.5

Notes

Notes

  1. Murre van den Berg 1999, p. 242.
  2. Baum & Winkler 2003, p. 196.
  3. Wilmshurst 2000, p. 20.
  4. Wilmshurst 2000, pp. 193–194.
  5. Wilmshurst 2000, p. 400.
Bibliography

Bibliography