Ancient Church of the East headquarters location Baghdad
History
The Ancient Church of the East is yet another name historically used for the Church of the East. This name became officially used when a schism happened in 1964, due to a decision made by the Patriarch Mar Shimun XXIII Eshai, to switch over from the traditional Julian Calendar which the church has been following since its establishment before the mid first century CE to the Gregorian Calendar. Part of the Church of the East, then led by the Patriarch Mar Shimun XXIII Eshai, continued with the Patriarch's decision. This became the reason for the schism. The Ancient Church of the East in 1968 consecrated their own Patriarch, Mar Toma Darmo, who strongly opposed to the system of hereditary succession of the position of patriarch of the Church of the East, as well as its adoption of the Gregorian calendar "and other modernizing measures". Mar Darmo was also joined by "various other groups opposed to Mar Shimun."Since 1969, the see of the Ancient Church of the East is in Baghdad.Mar Yacob III Daniel was elected as new patriarch in June 2022. In the month of August, patriarch-elect Mar Yacob III Daniel  abdicated, and on 12 November 2022 the Holy Synod elected Mar Gewargis Younan to take his place. The consecration of the Patriarch-elect is scheduled to take place in Baghdad in June 2023.
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