ABSTRACT
Bishop of Edessa (411/2-435). Born in Chalcis of a pagan father and Christian mother, Rabbula converted to Christianity ca. 400 and soon turned to asceticism. He was influential in both Syrian Christianity and the larger eastern church. In Edessa, he led a campaign against pagans, heretics, and Jews, destroying four pagan temples and a synagogue. He championed the use of the separated Gospels and is said to have destroyed 400 copies of Tatian's Diatessaron. He may have sponsored the Peshitta Syriac translation of the Bible. A stern administrator, Rabbula used the church's resources for the care of the poor and the building of infirm aries for the sick and destitute. He is credited with a set of strict rules for clergy, monks, and nuns.
