Ancient Assyrian artifact unveiled at CSU Stanislaus Library

A rubbing reproduction of the eighth century Nestorian Monument in China that honored Assyrian Christian missionaries was unveiled during a special public ceremony in the California State University, Stanislaus Vasché Library on September 26. Following a reception, the unveiling was conducted in the Libraryʼs second-floor West Reading Room where the artifact will be displayed.

CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani and Library Dean Carl Bengston joined local Assyrian leader Lazar Piro to make opening remarks at the program. Featured speakers were Dr. Sam Ayoubkhani, who donated the artifact to the University, and Mrs. Turan Tuman, who spoke about the history of the monument and its historical significance to Assyrian Christians.

The Nestorian Monument was erected in 781 A.D. during the Tang Dynasty to commemorate the acceptance of Christianity in China by Assyrian missionaries nearly 150 years earlier. An Assyrian man named Olopun had translated the Holy Bible into Chinese during that time. Churches were built all over China and the monument bore lengthy Chinese and Syriac inscriptions composed by an Assyrian priest from Persia named Adam in recognition of the Assyrian Christian missionaries who came to China.

The mounted and framed monument rubbing will be displayed in the Library along with other Assyrian artifacts that include a rare Assyrian Christian book collection donated by the Rev. Eshoo Sayad and a pair of bronze sculptures of King Ahurbanipal and Queen Shamiram, the last great rulers of Assyria during the 6th and 7th centuries B.C.