History of Mar Yahballaha and Rabban Sauma

More about the book

Set against the backdrop of 13th-century travel, the narrative follows two Christian monks on their unexpected journey from China to Jerusalem. Their path mirrors that of Marco Polo, leading them to Iran under the Mongol Ilkhanate. In a surprising twist, one monk, Mark, becomes the Patriarch of the Church of the East, taking the name Yahballaha, while the other, Rabban Sauma, is appointed ambassador to the Pope and European courts. This tale explores themes of faith, diplomacy, and the intertwining of cultures during a pivotal historical period.