In this two-volume work, Mar Ignatius Yacoub III meticulously records the history of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Antioch during the seminal years of its existence in the first five centuries AD. Revealing first the direct legacy left by Christ in the Aramaic language, the author begins his work with the establishment of the Antiochian Church during the early years of Christianity. From there, he explains the Church’s expansion as more believers join the true faith. Peace proves scarce, as the new Church confronts internal and external opposition. While resolutions are often reached, however, the work of the Antiochian Patriarchs is never done as they continue to defend their faith against new heresies, the most notable of which being the Nestorian heresy. The reader finds that as the Patriarchs delve into theological disputes, the Church’s orthodoxy is further defined and defended. Mar Ignatius Yacoub III tactfully takes us back to these times, being careful in the process to explain all details in these pivotal centuries in which the Antiochian Church developed its culture and validated its faith.