[[Image:Isaac_of_Syria.jpg|thumb|right|Icon of St. Isaac of Syria]] '''Isaac of Syria''' is a 7th century [[saint]] known for his strict [[asceticism]] and ascetic writings. He  St. Isaac was born in the region of Qatar on the western shore of the Persian Gulf. When still quite young, he entered a [[monastery]] with his brother. His fame grew as a holy man and teacher. He was subsequently [[Ordination|ordained]] [[bishop]] of NinevahNineveh, the former capital of Assyria to the north, but requested to abdicate after only five months. He then went south to the wilderness of Mount Matout, a refuge for anchorites. There he lived in solitude for many years studying the [[Scripture]], but eventually blindness and old age forced him to retire to the monastery of Rabban Shabur, where he reposed and was buried. His [[feast day]] is [[January 28]]. Not  He is not to be confused with the other St. [[Isaac the Syrian (abbot)|Isaac the Syrian]], Abbot of Spoleto, who lived during the mid-sixth century ([[April 12]]). ==Orthodoxy==St. Isaac is fully accepted as a saint in the Orthodox Church, though during his lifetime, he was [[canons (law)|canonically]] a member of the Assyrian Church of the East (i.e., the [[Nestorianism|Nestorians]]). His writings nevertheless came to be extremely popular in Orthodox monastic circles and are well-known for their Orthodoxy. [[Veneration]] for him grew, and he came to be incorporated into the Orthodox calendar of saints. His inclusion is thus an indication that the Church does not regard canonical boundaries as being the litmus test of Orthodoxy.

==Sources/and external links==

* [http://www.oca.org/FSLivesAllSaintsPrint.asp?M=1&D=28 OCA - Lives of all saints commemorated on January 28 (including St. Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of NinevahNineveh)]