People/CharactersJohn of Tella

John of Tella (or John Bar Qursos) (483–538) was a monk and bishop in the Near East. John was a major proponent of moderate Miaphysitism. Although his native language was Syriac he studied Greek in order to serve in the Byzantine administration. John was a native of Callinicus. He was influenced to become a monk by reading the Acts of Thecla. He later studied at the monastery founded by Gregory Nazianzen.

In Stella Duffy's The Purple Shroud he is a religious advisor to the Empress Theodora, who shared his religious views.
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