Babai of Seleucia-Ctesiphon

Babai, also Babaeus, was Catholicos of Seleucia-Ctesiphon and Patriarch of the Church of the East from 497 to 503.

[1] Under his leadership, the Church in Sasanian Empire (Persia) became increasingly aligned with the Nestorian movement, declared heretical in the Roman Empire.

[2] Babai was also known as patriarch of Seleucia-Ctesiphon.

With the permission of King Djamasp, Babai was allowed to call a synod (council) in 497/499, at which clerical celibacy was abolished, permitting priests and even bishops to marry.

Babai died during the reign of King Kobad, during a time while Kobad was at war with the Byzantine Empire.