He was a graduate of the English college at Cotayam, was evangelical in his views, spoke English with propriety, and at once gave the right hand of fellowship to the missionaries, and bespoke for them the confidence of the people.

Early in the following year, he returned from Mardin as Bishop Athanasius, and consented to remain and preach among the Jacobites during Dr.Grant's absence in the summer.
Nurullah Bey had now commenced making war on the mountain Nestorians, with the aid of the Turks; and the Nestorians, split into hostile parties, were incapable of combined resistance.
Suleiman Bey, being opposed to an alliance with Turkey, had seized the reins of government in the absence of the Emir; and since the object of the Osmanlis was to subjugate the Nestorians, as well as the Koords, the Patriarch naturally, but as it proved unhappily, sided with Suleiman.1 1 _Dr.Grant and the Mountain Nestorians_, p.

203.
Dr.Grant believed it would now be easier to enter the mountains from the east, than from the west.

Accordingly he set out for Oroomiah, on the 6th of June, 1842, going the southern route by way of Ravandooz.

Mr.Hinsdale and Bishop Athanasius accompanied him the first day.