Barsauma

St. Barsauma (died 456) was a Syriac-speaking monk and holy man, a leading opponent of the Council of Chalcedon of 451. He is the subject of a biography in Syriac composed about a century after his death. He is regarded as a saint by the Oriental Orthodox. He is the subject of the Life of Barsauma, which was recently translated. Jacob of Serugh also composed a homily about Barsauma.

Hagiography St Barsauma was a disciple of St Abraham of the High Mountain. Barsauma was responsible for the destruction of numerous temples and synagogues, both Jewish and Samaritan, between 418 and 423 (alternatively 419–422

In 438, Barsauma and forty of his followers attacked Jews praying at the ruins of the Temple in Jerusalem, killing many. He was tried, but claimed innocence, saying the stones were cast from heaven, and eventually acquitted.

Veneration He is commemorated in the Syriac Orthodox Church on the 3rd of February