Babai of Seleucia-Ctesiphon

For other uses, see Babai (disambiguation).

Babai, also Babaeus, was Catholicos of Seleucia-Ctesiphon and Patriarch of the Church of the East from 497 to 503.^[1] Under his leadership, the Church in Sasanian Empire (Persia) became increasingly aligned with the Nestorian movement, declared heretical in the Roman Empire.^[2]

Babai of Seleucia-Ctesiphon
Catholicos-Patriarch of Seleucia-Ctesiphon
Installed	497
Term ended	503
Predecessor	Acacius
Successor	Shila
Personal details
Denomination	Church of the East

Babai was also known as patriarch of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. When he became patriarch, he was married. With the permission of King Djamasp, Babai was allowed to call a synod (council) in 497/499, at which clerical celibacy was abolished, permitting priests and even bishops to marry. Babai died during the reign of King Kobad, during a time while Kobad was at war with the Byzantine Empire.