Mar Sisin

Mar Sisin, the letter of the last thought (Syrian: Mār Sîsin, ?–291/292), also known as Sisinnius (Latin: Sisinnius), one of the twelve Apostles of the founder of Mani. He was one of the most influential Manichaeans in the early church, as he served as a core figure of the early church and was the first Manichaean Archegos, the head of the Manichaean religion.^[1]

Mission

Mo Sixin was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Mani himself. When Mani was alive, he had a high status within Manichaeism. When Mani left Babylon, he was responsible for the internal work of the church.^[2] He went to the Roman Empire and preached in Central Asia. Around 261-262, Mo Sixin went to Mary to inspect and was very satisfied with the missionary situation there. He sent someone to bring two holy books and to see Mar Ammo who was preaching in Zamb. He copied these books in Mulu.^[3]

Leading the Church

In 273, Mar Ammo went to visit Mani in prison, and Mani delivered the "last letter" to Mohamo, explaining the affairs of the church.^[4] In 274, Mani was executed by Bahram I. In 276, Mo Sixin was appointed to become the first Archegos of the Manichean Babylonian Church. It is also said that Mo Sixin only became the Archegos five years after Mani's death.^[5] Mo Sixin served as the Archegos for ten years. Leading the Manichaeans to adhere to their beliefs, making Ctesiphon the place where the Manichaean holy seat resides in Tin, and is unanimously recognized by all Manichaeans around the world.^[6] In 286, Bahram I set off a new wave of persecution of Manichaeans, Mo Sixin was martyred in this persecution.^[7] In the Dunhuang manuscript "Chinese Manichaean hymn scroll", he left his absolute letter "Sigh of impermanence" to warn the faithful We should not be greedy for the material comforts of the world, and be obsessed with the physical body for the dark demon delusion. We should practice diligently before death, and ascend to Heaven after death so that we can liberate ourselves and achieve enlightenment.^[8]

Remembrance

After Mo Sixin's death, Innaios, one of the Twelve Apostles, succeeded him as the Archegos. Thanks to the diplomatic efforts of Illinois, the persecution of Manichaeism has temporarily come to an end.^[9] In order to commemorate the sacrifice of Mosshin, the Manichaeism held a two-day Fasting becomes one of the five times "double-day Fasts" every year.^[10]

See also

• Manichaeism
• Mani
• Mar Ammo

References

1. Lieu, Samuel N.C. Manichaeism in the Later Roman Empire and Medieval China: a Historical Survey. Pages 80-82. Manchester University Press, 1985. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2863189M/Manichaeism_in_the_later_Roman_Empire_and_medieval_China
2. Werner Sundermann. Iranian Manichaean Turfan texts in early publications (1904-1934): photo edition [M ]. London: Corpus Inscriptionum Irani-carum by School of Oriental and African Studies, 1996.
3. Parthian language document M5815 II (T II D 134 II), see FCAndreas & WBHenning, "Mittelranische Manichaica aus Chinesisch-Turkestan III",SPAW, 1934, pp.857-860, Documents b; M.Boyce,Reader, pp.48-50; H.-J. Klimkeit, ``Gnosis, pp.260-261
4. Asmussen, Jes Peter (1985), "Mār Ammō", Encyclopedia Iranica, vol. I, Costa Mesa: Mazda Press.
5. Ma Xiaohe: "The Messenger of Light: Manichaeism and Manichaeism" (Lanzhou: Lanzhou University Press, 2014), p301
6. B.Dodge (ed.&tran.),"The Fihrist of al-Nadim II", p.793
7. M.Boyce,Reader, p.3
8. Rui Chuanming: "Manichaeism Dunhuang and Turpan Manuscript Translation, Interpretation and Research" (Lanzhou: Lanzhou University Press, 2014), p113
9. Michel Tardieu. Manichaeism. tran. MB DeBevoise. Urbana 111; University of Illinois Press, c2008.
10. Lieu, Samuel N C. Manichaeism in the later Roman Empire and medieval China[ M ]. Tubingen:J. C. B. Mohr,cl992.