Explanation of the Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarchal Emblem

By Jobin Chacko

The official emblem used by the Patriarchate of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch
is imbedded with deep symbolism, intertwined with both historical & theological
significance.
1. At the very top center, is the turban. It symbolizes the Apostolic Succession that our
Patriarchs carry. According to ancient traditions, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
the napkin that had been around His head (John 20:7) was handed over to St. Peter
(Mor Mushe Bar Kifo’s 'Easter Instruction' Chapter 18). Mor Dionysius Bar Salibi has
recorded that St. Peter used this napkin as a headdress or headgear/turban (Koobatho).
This is why there is a turban, as our Apostolic succession is from St. Peter whose
turban was from our Lord Jesus Christ. Additionally, turbans were headgear worn by
royalty, so the turban symbolizes the authority of the Patriarch & the bishops.
2. On the left is the cross. The Cross is a symbol of our Lord's Resurrection & His
victory over death. The cross is also analogous to the whole Gospel for there is no
Gospel of salvation without Christ’s crucifixion on the cross & resurrection from the
dead. It is also a great weapon against the evil one & his forces. In the Sh'himo we sing,
"The holy martyrs armored with the cross enraged Satan as they persisted in battle."
The symbolism of the Holy Cross can be summed up in the following hymn from the
service of the Holy Matrimony, "The Cross is the sign of peace & the sign of victory. By
the Cross we have been saved & in it we all glory!"
3. On the right is the staff/Crozier (mooroneetho/aamshavadi). It is analogous with a
shepherd's staff & representative of a bishop's pastoral authority to take care of his
flock. The empty cross represents our Lord who through His resurrection renewed all
creation. Secondly, the serpents are an allusion to the story of Moses saving the sinful
people of Israel by forming a serpent from a bronze rod (Numbers 21:4-9). The two
serpents represent the dual symbolism of the evil serpent in the Garden of Eden leading
to the fall of man, while conversely showing the serpent of Moses which was used to
heal. Finally, the central cross is always kept above the serpent. This symbolizes that
Christ has crushed Satan & by Christ's death, He has trampled death itself.
4. In the middle are the two keys which are held together & bound at the ends. This is in
reference to St. Peter the Holy Apostle. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to St. Peter
saying, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: & whatsoever thou
shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: & whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven." (Mathew 16:19) The prayers of the Syriac Orthodox Church
call St. Peter as the keeper of the Keys of the Kingdom (Semavoon kabel kleede
d'malkooso). St. Peter has traditionally been depicted with these keys in iconography as
well. St. Peter is the chief of the Apostles (ris'ho daslihe) & he established the first
Apostolic Holy See in Antioch (where believers in Christ were first called Christians, as
written in Acts 11:26). The Patriarch of Antioch and all the East is the successor to this
Holy Apostolic See.
5. In the bottom centre is a scale. This represents the justice, righteousness &
impartiality to be carried out by the Patriarch as a judge in the Church while making
decisions, & symbolizes the protector of the Church's faith, constitution, laws & beliefs.
6. Below the emblem is the title of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate written in Syriac the
official language of the Syriac Orthodox Church. However, in Syria the Arabic inscription
is also present. The Syriac inscription is: Paṭriarḵo ḏ-Anṭiuḵia waḏ-Kuloh Maḏĕnḥo The
Arabic inscription is: Baṭriyark li-ʾAnṭākya wa-Sāʾir al-Mašriq Both mean, "Patriarch of
Antioch and all the East"