Nestorianism, a branch of the Christian faith that was practiced in Syria, arrived in China in the seventh century. In 781 a stone was erected in Chang'an in honor of the faith. A portion of the inscription on the stela appears below:

The true Lord is without origin, profound, invisible, and unchangeable; with power and capacity to perfect and transform, He raised up the earth and established the heavens.

Divided in nature, he entered the world, to save and to help without bounds; the sun arose, and darkness was dispelled, all bearing witness to his true original.

The glorious and resplendent, accomplished Emperor, whose principles embraced those of preceding monarchs, taking advantage of the occasion, suppressed turbulence; Heaven was spread out and the earth was enlarged.

When the pure, bright illustrious religion was introduced to our Tang Dynasty, the Scriptures were translated, and...