John of Tella

Who was John of Tella?

John of Tella was a monk and bishop in the Near East. John was a major proponent of moderate Monophysitism. Although his native language was Syriac he studied Greek in order to serve in the Byzantine administration. John was a native of Callincius. He was influenced to become a monk by reading the Acts of Thecla. He later studied at the monastery founded by Gregory Nazianzen.

John served as bishop of Tella which is near the modern city of Aleppo. John became bishop in 519. He has also come down to us as an opponent of inept, rich men gaining priestly office through bribes. In 521 John resigned his office as a bishop so he could better pursue the ascetic life. Still his most lasting contribution was ordaining many priests and bishops in opposition to the Chalcedonians moving the break between them and the Monophysites to a full blown schism.