Saints & Prophets

One of Mani's most important disciples and confirmed member of his twelve Apostles. Mar Patiqq journeyed to Rome for one year alongside Mar Adda to spread the faith and strengthen its foundations. Many scholars believe he may have been Mani's own father, originally a member of the Elchasai baptizing sect before recognizing the divine message of Mani.

He witnessed Mani's final days and authored portions of the Shabuhragan. The Book of Epistles contains several letters from Mani to Patiqq, including the Fundamental Epistle and The Letter to Mesene on the Two Bodies.

A profoundly influential 3rd century missionary who founded many communities and monasteries. Mar Adda was known for making "wisdom his weapon," composing good works and scriptures of light to refute all other religions with skill and eloquence.

Faustus of Mileve considered Mar Adda the best Manichaean teacher after Mani himself. His polemical Disputations were preserved by Augustine, and he authored "The Traite" and possibly the work called "Modius." He served with distinction in Rome and throughout the Roman territories.

Mani's disciple to the East, known as the "Bringer of True Religion." Mar Ammo expended tremendous effort spreading Manichaeism not only eastward but also in Rome and throughout the Western territories. The spirit Bagard proclaimed of him: "You are a pure righteous man. From now on do not call yourself man of religion but true bringer of religion."

He stood by Mani until the very end, present at his crucifixion. Mani commanded the Letter of the Seal to be delivered to the community through Mar Ammo. He authored many hymns (BH CH 72-81) which still speak to us today. Three hundred years after his passing, Mar Sad Ohrmezd would venerate him as the spiritual founder of the eastern Dinawwariyah sect.

First of Mani's twelve Apostles to become Arkhegos after the Prophet's death. Mar Sisin was a constant companion to Mani, beloved for his sincerity, light, and boundless courage. Mani himself praised his gentleness: "I have never seen duplicity in you since your youth."

He was martyred by the tyrant Vahram II, yet his heart never wavered. When the king spoke evil, Sisin courageously declared: "Your words and deeds are nothing but evil," remaining virtuous and true to the Light until his final breath.

One of Mani's earliest disciples, sent to India alongside Mar Patiqq to continue preaching. A skilled medic who healed the very king who had executed Mar Sisin, earning a brief period of peace for the Holy Church. He was roughly 50 years old when he succeeded Sisin as Arkhegos.

King Hormizd II put Innaios to death in 303 CE after twelve years of devoted service to the faith.

A legendary Manichaean bishop who rose from Pagan origins to become one of the faith's greatest defenders. Pleasant, well-spoken, and expertly trained in Biblical texts, he traveled from Africa to Rome strengthening communities in their faith.

He considered himself the inheritor of the polemical tradition started by Mar Adda himself, whom he regarded as the greatest Manichaean teacher after Mani. His eloquence won many converts, and his treatise against Augustine's attacks preserved Manichaean arguments for posterity.

Sentenced to exile by Messianus, he willingly faced persecution rather than renounce the Holy Faith. Released after a year through imperial amnesty, he taught: "A man who prays to God has no need of a temple."

Greatest monarch of the Uyghur Khaganate who proclaimed Manichaeism the state religion. In 763, he encountered four Manichaean priests including the elect Ruixi, whose preaching ignited the Light within his soul. He brought these holy men to his capital Ordu-Baliq and received the Seal of the Faith.

Through his authority, temples of Light were raised throughout his lands. His influence reopened the long-shuttered Manichaean temples of China in 771, despite resistance from the Tang Emperor. His enemies feared both his armies and his faith.