Timeline of Christianity in Najran
الجداول الزمنية
Timeline of Christianity in Najran:
A historical tapestry of faith in South Arabia
A full list of references, including original sources, can be found in our free book. We present a historic timeline of Christianity in Najran and South Arabia below:
1st century
▪︎ Bartholomew the disciple, known to the Arabs as Ibn Thalma, is reported to have preached in the Hejaz (Western Arabia) and South Arabia in the 1st century [see further details and references in book].
2nd Century
▪︎ Mar Mari purportedly reached Najran in the late 1st to early 2nd century. ▪︎ Pantaenus the Alexandrian philosopher and missionary was sent to South Arabia in the 2nd century. He found Christians there who possessed a Hebrew copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Bartholomew had left it there.
3rd Century
▪︎ In 225 AD, Najran reportedly joins a diocese in the Arabian Gulf.
4th Century
▪︎ Marqianos the bishop of Yemen appears in an attendance list for the 1st Council of Nicaea (325 AD). ▪︎ Bishop Theophilus the miraculous healer was appointed to oversee South Arabia in 354 AD, responsible for building three churches (i.e., Zafar, ‘Adan and a church in the Persian Gulf). ▪︎ Theognosta the nun sowed the Gospel in South Arabia, winning over the king of the Himyarites and many others in the region. ▪︎ Theonius was appointed bishop in South Arabia during the reign of Emperor Honorius (395-423 AD).
5th Century
▪︎ Harith bin Ka'b (St. Arethas) is born in Najran (428 AD).
▪︎ Najran experiences a season of early conversions during the reign of Yazdegerd II of Persia (438-457 AD).▪︎ Hayyan/Hannan (Habsa’s ancestor) is converted and returns to spread the Gospel among his family, Najran, and throughout South Arabia (438-457 AD).
▪︎ Another season of persecution and conversions in Najran takes place.
▪︎ Azqir is martyred with 38 other believers (470-475 AD). Church clergy including metropolitans already served in Najran, according to the Acts of Azqir: "In the territory of Najran there received the crown of martyrdom metropolitans, priests, deacons, monks, men and women, and many people together."
▪︎ A group of inscriptions includes crosses and Christian names, dated 470 AD.
▪︎ Silvanus, the maternal uncle of John Diacrinomenos the historian, was appointed bishop in South Arabia (491-518 AD).6th Century
▪︎ A wave of persecution led by Dhu Nuwas takes place.
▪︎ Christian historian Theodore the Lector (575 AD) reports that several churches in South Arabia had bishops since 513 AD.
▪︎ Bishop Paul I of Najran stoned in Zafar (518 AD, possibly earlier)
▪︎ Paul II ordained by Philoxenus, possibly in 518-519 AD timeframe before Philoxenus goes into exile, after martyrdom of Bishop Paul I of Najran (also ordained by Philoxenus).
▪︎ A massacre at Zafar includes 500 clerics and laymen and the Abyssinian Bishop Ababut. (522-523 AD)
▪︎ A massacre of Christians in Hadhramaut includes the martyrdom of the presbyter Ilya (Elias) along with his mother and brother, the presbyter and monk Tawma (Thomas), the presbyter Wa’il, and another presbyter Tawma (Thomas) from Najran. (522-523 AD)
▪︎ Following a massacre in al-Mukha, Dhu Nuwas sends messengers throughout South Arabia with the ultimatum that Christians deny Christ or be killed. (522-523 AD)
▪︎ Jacob of Serugh writes a letter of consolation to the Christians in South Arabia (before 521 AD)
▪︎ Death of Bishop Paul II of Najran in 521 AD; reported to have died two years before the massacre of 523 AD.
▪︎ Aksumite forces of Ethiopia advance to South Arabia under the leadership of King Caleb, in alliance with Byzantium, attacking and defeating the Himyarite forces. (525 AD)
▪︎ King Caleb re-establishes the churches and clergy in Najran and throughout South Arabia. King Caleb returns to Ethiopia in December 525 AD after having stayed there for seven months.
▪︎ Three churches were built in Najran, with support by the Abyssinians:
(1) Church of the Resurrection, which still existed in 1260 AD
(2) Church of the Mother of God
(3) Church of the Martyrs and Harith
▪︎ Timothy the archbishop of Alexandria sent a bishop to Najran via Ethiopia, and a church was founded in Najran at that time.
▪︎ A Chalcedonian bishop, John, was also sent by Justin to Najran.
▪︎ The Julianist, Sargis, established a bishopric in Najran around 550 AD, followed by Bishop Moses.7th Century
▪︎ Covenants are established between the Christians of Najran and Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abd al-Muttalib in 632 AD. ▪︎ The Najrani delegation in Medina included Joshua, a bishop from the Church of the East. ▪︎ Muhammad’s letter to Najran was addressed to “bishops,” indicating multiple church communities and a diversity of faith. ▪︎ Islamic sources refer to Byzantine rite (i.e., Melkite), Jacobites (i.e., Syrian Orthodox Church), and the Church of the East. ▪︎ In 641 AD, Christians in Najran are expelled by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab to Iraq and Syria. ▪︎ Ibn ‘Abbas (619-687 AD), the famous Muslim commentator, confirms the presence of at least four Christian communities in Najran in his day: the Nestorian Church, the Jacobite Church (Syrian Orthodox), the Melkite Byzantine Church, and the Coptic Church.
8th Century
▪︎ Butrus (Peter) appointed bishop of Najran and Sana’a by Timothy I, patriarch of the Church of the East, toward the end of the 8th century AD.
9th Century
▪︎ John IV of Antioch of the Syrian Orthodox Church appoints Sulayman as bishop of Najran (846 AD).
10th Century
▪︎ The Church of the East sends a young monk from Najran, Hassan, on a mission to China in 980 AD. ▪︎ The famous historian, al-Hamdani, writes that in his day (893-945 AD) there were still ruins of a church in Qabil Najran, a village that still exists today (al-Qabil), located near the al-Ukhdud martyrdom site. ▪︎ We hear of a representation of Christian elders, among whom were a group of the Bilharith tribe (named after al-Harith the martyr), who met with the Zaidi Imam al-Qasim bin ‘Ali al-‘Ayyani (922-1003 AD) concerning taxation requirements.
12th Century
▪︎ A Christian gravestone in Najran bearing the name Husayna dates to 1183 AD. ▪︎ A Christian gravestone in Najran bearing the name Jazila dates to the 12th Century ▪︎ The Church of the East listed Najran among their dioceses during the patriarchy of Eliya III – Abu Halim (1176-1190 AD).
13th Century
▪︎ In 1260 AD, the Church of the East reported the presence of 1400 Christian households in Najran under their care. Two churches are mentioned, the Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (first established in 525 AD) and the Church of Shalita al-‘Abid (i.e., the Martyr Artemius). ▪︎ Bishop Jacob of Siirt presided over these two churches, supported by 15 priests and 35 deacons ▪︎ According to the Persian traveler Ibn al-Mujawir (1204-1292 AD) who visited Najran, the population of the city was one-third Christian, one-third Jewish, and one-third Muslim at the time.
14th Century
▪︎ A Christian gravestone in Najran bearing the name Amina dates to 1329 AD (representing last known public presence of Church of Najran).
15th Century onwards
Week of the Massacre (523 AD)
Preliminary Events
▪︎ The first martyr of Najran suffered at the hands of the Himyarite forces "on the road" as they marched toward the city. This faithful servant's limbs were cut off, one by one; he was challenged to deny Christ before each limb was severed. "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12). ▪︎ The siege of Najran by Himyarite forces ▪︎ Massacre of 150 Najrani leaders and as many as 1000 other men from Najran after a false truce and the “breaking of bread” with the Himyarite forces
Tuesday (Nov. 21st)
▪︎ Martyrdom of clerics of Najran, and others with them ▪︎ Burning of the church of Najran ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Zurayba ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Tahna & Family ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Elizabeth ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister ‘Ammai ▪︎ Martyrdom of Abraham the youth (“brother of the holy order”) ▪︎ Harith, all leaders of Najran, and the “freeborn men” brought bound before the Himyarite king
Wednesday
▪︎ Continuation of massacre of the clerics and others who were killed along with them ▪︎ Burial of Sister Elizabeth
Friday
▪︎ Martyrdom of the “freeborn men”
Saturday
▪︎ Jewish Sabbath – suspension of massacre
Sunday
▪︎ Martyrdom of Harith bin Ka’b and the “freeborn men” ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister ‘Amma mother of granddaughter of Sister Ruhm ▪︎ Martyrdom of of Ruhm’s husband
Monday
▪︎ Abdullah is permitted to bury the bodies of the preceding martyrs ▪︎ Martyrdom of “freeborn women” with their children (177 in number) ▪︎ Martyrdom of Baysar’s mother ▪︎ Martyrdom of women servants ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Mahya
Tuesday
▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Habsa and her companions
Wednesday
▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Ruhm and family (see book for details and clarifications) ▪︎ Martyrdom of ‘Arabi ▪︎ Another massacre of freeborn women from Najran with their children (122 in number) ▪︎ Possibly another massacre of “believing men” from Najran, names of which are unknown
Post-Massacre Week
▪︎ Departure of Dhu Nuwas ▪︎ A massacre in Hadramawt ▪︎ A massacre in Marib and the “land of the Himyarites” ▪︎ A massacre in Hajaren ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Ad’a (“sister of the holy order”) after departure of Dhu Nuwas from Najran ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Tumlik (lay woman) after departure of Dhu Nuwas from Najran ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Dhiba in Najran ▪︎ Martyrdom of Sister Hayya in Najran ▪︎ Capture and possible martyrdom of Sister Hind in Najran ▪︎ Capture and possible martyrdom of Sister ‘Amma in Najran ▪︎ Capture of Dabb in Najran (later liberated) ▪︎ Capture of ‘Amr in Najran (later liberated)
Jan. – Feb. (524 AD)
▪︎ Simeon of Beth Arsham departs for Ramla to attend conference for two months after the events in Najran (i.e., Jan. 524), where he hears about the martyrdom of Najran for the first time. During the Ramla summit, Simeon writes his first letter to document the martyrdom event.
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