Christianity in Tang China: The Church of the East's Forgotten Legacy
The Church of the East, an ancient Christian denomination originating in the Sasanian Empire, thrived in Tang Dynasty China (618–907) for over two centuries. Missionaries arrived in 635 under Syrian monk Alopen, who presented holy books to Emperor Taizong. An imperial edict in 638 permitted Christian activity, leading to monasteries in Chang'an. The Xi'an Stele, erected in 781 and discovered in the 17th century, documents this history. Christianity spread to Tibet and among Uyghurs, with some priests serving as generals. Persecutions began under Empress Wu (683–705) and culminated under Emperor Wuzong (841–846), who banned foreign religions in 845. By 980, the Church of the East had vanished from China, only to revive under the Yuan dynasty.
Key facts
- Christianity in Tang China belonged to the Church of the East, originating in the Sasanian Empire.
- The Xi'an Stele, erected in 781, was discovered in Xi'an in the early 17th century.
- Syrian monk Alopen arrived in Chang'an in 635 and presented Christian scriptures to Emperor Taizong.
- An imperial edict in 638 allowed Christian missionary activity and a monastery was built in Chang'an.
- Christianity flourished under Emperors Taizong and Gaozong, with churches built in many provinces.
- Persecutions began under Empress Wu (683–705) and ended under Emperor Xuanzong (712–756).
- Emperor Wuzong (841–846) banned 'Persian religions' in 845, forcing Christians to leave China.
- By 980, Christianity had disappeared; only one Christian remained, according to a report by Patriarch Abdisho I.
Entities
Artists
- Alopen
- Adam (Qing-Qing)
- Yazdebod (Issu)
- Prajna
- Yan Liben
- Zhang Xuan
Institutions
- Church of the East
- Sasanian Empire
- Tang Dynasty
- Sui Dynasty
- Yuan Dynasty
- National Palace Museum
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Art Gallery of New South Wales
- Bibliothèque Nationale de France
- Boston Fine Arts Museum
Locations
- China
- Chang'an
- Xi'an
- Persia
- Sasanian Empire
- Parthian Empire
- Seleucia-Ctesiphon
- Urmia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Tibet
- Uyghurs
- Central Asia
- India
- Sri Lanka
- Kocho
- Mogao Caves
- Luoyang
- Korea
- Japan