Babai (Nestorian patriarch)

Babai, also Babaeus, was Patriarch of the Church of the East (the Persian Church), from 497 – 503. Under his leadership, the Persian Church became increasingly aligned with the Nestorian movement, declared heretical in the Roman Empire.

Babai was also known as patriarch of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. When he became patriarch, he was married. With the permission of King Djamasp, Babai was allowed to call a synod (council) in 497/499, at which clerical celibacy was abolished, permitting priests and even bishops to marry. Babai died during the reign of King Kobad, during a time while Kobad was at war with the Byzantine Empire.