Denha I

Denha I (also spelled Denha the First) was a Patriarch of the Church of the East, serving from 1265 to 1281. He is considered a significant figure in the later history of the Church.

His reign was marked by ongoing challenges and interactions with the Mongol Ilkhanate, which held considerable power in the region. The Church of the East had a complex relationship with the Mongol rulers, sometimes benefiting from their tolerance and at other times facing difficulties.

During Denha I's patriarchate, efforts were made to maintain the unity and stability of the Church in a turbulent political climate. He worked to oversee the various dioceses and communities spread across a wide geographical area, from Mesopotamia to Central Asia and beyond.

Sources regarding his life and reign are often fragmented and require careful interpretation. He is remembered for his efforts to uphold the traditions and faith of the Church of the East during a period of considerable political and social upheaval. His successor was Yaballaha III.