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Arameans
Mor Severus of Antioch

Mor Severus of Antioch

Severus of Antioch (d. 538) was a Syriac Orthodox theologian and patriarch, recognized as one of the most important Greek theologians of the 6th century. Born in Sozopolis, he converted to Christianity in 488 and later became a prominent anti-Chalcedonian leader. He was elected patriarch of Antioch in 512 but fled to Egypt in 518 after the pro-Chalcedonian emperor Justin I came to power.
Manuscript
A Letter to Maron

A Letter to Maron

“When Naaman the Syriac (Suryoyo) […]” As is written and recognized in both the Bible and scholarship, Naaman was the commander of the army of Aram and therefore an Aramean. Saint Severus of Antioch renders Aramean as “Syriac (Suryoyo),” equating the two and showing that Syriac and Aramean are synonymous.

Manuscript
Homilies of Saint Severus of Antioch

Homilies of Saint Severus of Antioch

“Likewise, we Arameans, that is to say Syriacs, because of our closeness and our nearness to them and of our language in relation to their language, have imitated the name which comes from them and have called Aloho the author of the universe. And in the same way, in their turn, the Tayoye, that is to say the Arabs, their neighbors, have called him Allah.” Saint Severus of Antioch self-identifies as an Aramean and equates this with Syriac (Suryoyo), saying, “we Arameans, that is to say, Syriacs.”