Justin Perkins and Mar Yohannan

Early America was home to many global citizens. Congregationalist minister Justin Perkins and Assyrian Church of the East bishop Mar Yohannan met in Persia (now Iran) when Perkins lived there as a missionary. Perkins spread his faith as he opened up schools that he believed would improve the lives of Persians. Yohannan taught Perkins the Syriac language; Perkins then translated the New Testament, hymns, and religious tracts into Syriac. Yohannan traveled with Perkins to the United States in 1842 and 1843. Yohannan’s willingness to interact with people of many faiths—including Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Baptists—and his title of “bishop” concerned some Episcopalians. In this portrait, Perkins holds a book and listens to Yohannan speak. Auguste Edouart made Yohannan’s religious, linguistic, and ethnic differences from Perkins clear. Yohannan’s signature in Syriac is glued to the top of the image. His long, tapered beard and hat are distinctive, while his flowing robe is similar to those worn by leaders of other faiths.