ABSTRACT
Is the concept of a ‘Syriac church’ meaningful? Is there a model common to speakers of Syriac, diffused in its basic pattern over the whole geographical region of this community? The essay tries to answer to these fundamental questions through a comprehensive approach to the immense network of churches that emerged and developed in the Middle East that were especially marked out by the Syriac Christian culture. The major architectural features of the Syriac churches become apparent when assessed against the background of Syrian Antiochene basilicas. Moreover, the expansion of the cult of relics and the rise of pilgrimages both contributed to the growth of localised styles. In this context, the architectural character of the Syriac church emerges from within local influences to extend into Arabia and east of the Euphrates.
