Saturday 11 April 2015

Ronald Kydd: Growing Evidence of Christianity’s Establishment in China in the Late-Patristic Era

The arrival of Christianity at Xi'an, capital of the Tang Dynasty in 635 AD is increasingly well known. The mission was led by a Syriac monk and was granted a warm reception at the imperial court. This occasion and a hundred and fifty years of subsequent history were memorialized on a stone stele erected in 781. It can still be seen at the "Museum of Steles" in Xi'an, China. The story of early Christianity in China is being expatiated through research in Chinese dynastic records, manuscript material, and archaeological remains.
In the summer of 2014, I traveled through much of China guided by prominent archaeologists. The intent was to review evidence for early Christianity. I saw a large proportion of the material upon which the story is being written. However, I was also shown some discoveries which are not familiar outside of China. This communication will introduce a selection of the material, supporting the narrative with photographs I took on site.

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