28 March 1288 A.D. Asian Bar Sauma Attends Easter Services in Rome
28 March 1288 A.D. Asian Bar Sauma Attends Easter Services in Rome Graves, Dan. “Bar Sauma, in Rome, Attended Easter Services.” Christianity.com. Jun 2007. http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1201-1500/bar-sauma-in-rome-attended-easter-services-11629847.html . Accessed 27 Mar 2015. This day, March 28, 1288 was Easter. As could be expected, Rome, the center of Western Christianity , was electric with a sense of importance. Easter has always been the most significant day in the church calendar, the day on which Christ was vindicated by rising in triumph from the grave. The day calls for special celebrations, especially in Rome. The occasion was charged with more than the usual significance this time, however. It would be the first time that Girolamo Masci celebrated Easter in the capacity of pope. Newly-elected, he had taken the name Nicholas IV. Adding to the importance of the occasion was the presence of Rabban Bar Sauma, an enthusiastic envoy from the...