Syriac Shield

In the early centuries of the Christian era, the Syriac Christians were disconnected from each other. First along geopolitical demarcations and soon after along religious lines as well. Those Syriacs that resided in the Roman (later Byzantine) Empire were termed ‘West-Syriacs’, whereas their congeners who lived under Parthian (later Sassanide) hegemony were dubbed ‘East-Syriacs’.

This traditional distinction, albeit roughly, between ‘Easterners’ and ‘Westerners’ has remained until the present day. Accordingly, the Syriac people can be classified as follows.

• West-Syriacs: Syriac-Orthodox, Maronites, Melkites and Syriac-Catholics
• East-Syriacs: 'Nestorians' (or 'Assyrians') and Chaldeans

The Assyrian/Chaldean/Maronites/Syriac people (frequently known as Assyrians in English, besides Syrians, Syriacs, Syrian Christians, Syriac Christians, Suroye/Suryoye and other variants, see names of Syriac Christians) are an ethnic groupwhose origins lie in the Fertile Crescent, their homelandtoday being divided between Northern Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Western Iran,  Turkey's Southeastern Anatolia.  Many have migrated to the Caucasus, North Americaand Europeduring the past century. The major sub-ethnic division is between an Easterngroup ("Syrian Nestorians" and "Chaldean Christians") and a Westernone ("Syrian Jacobites").  (WIKIPEDIA – The Free Encyclopedia)   

 

Unisex regular fit 100% Cotton slub basic crew neck tee. Wash in cold water, tumble dry low