Pope Theophilus of Alexandria

Pope Theophilus of Alexandria

Theophilus of Alexandria, (died 412) was Patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt from 385 to 412. He is regarded as a saint by the Coptic Orthodox Church.

He was a Coptic Pope at a time of conflict between the newly dominant Christians and the pagan establishment in Alexandria, each supported by a segment of the Alexandrian populace.

In 391, Theophilus (according to Rufinus and Sozomen) discovered a hidden pagan temple. He and his followers mockingly displayed the pagan artifacts to the public which offended the pagans enough to provoke an attack on the Christians. The Christian faction counter-attacked, forcing the pagans to retreat to the Serapeum. A letter was sent by the emperor that Theophilus should grant the offending pagans pardon, but destroy the temple.

The destruction of the Serapeum was seen by many ancient and modern authors as representative of the triumph of Christianity over other religions. When the philosopher Hypatia was lynched by an Alexandrian mob, they acclaimed Theophilus's nephew and successor Cyril as "the new Theophilus, for he had destroyed the last remains of idolatry in the city". ["Chronicle" of John of Nikiu]

Theophilus turned on the followers of Origen after having supported them for a time. He was accompanied by his nephew Cyril to Constantinople in 403 and there presided at the "Synod of the Oak" that deposed John Chrysostom.

urviving works

* Correspondence with St. Jerome, Pope Anastasius I and Pope Innocent I
* Tract against Chrysostom
* Homilies translated by St. Jerome (preserved in Migne)
* Other homilies survive only in Coptic and Ge'ez translations.

References


* Charles, R. H. "The Chronicle of John, Bishop of Nikiu: Translated from Zotenberg's Ethiopic Text", 1916. Reprinted 2007. Evolution Publishing, ISBN 978-1-889758-87-9.

External links

* [http://www.bede.org.uk/library.htm#theophilus Bede's Library: Theophilus]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14625b.htm New Advent Entry: Theophilus]
* [http://www.ccel.org/w/wace/biodict/htm/iii.xx.xxxix.htm Christian Classics Ethereal Library: Theophilus]
* [http://magnificat.ca/cal/engl/02-09.htm Order of the Magnificat: St. Cyril]
* [http://www.earlychurch.org.uk/cyrilalex.html Cyril of Alexandria]
* [http://www.oxuscom.com/theology.htm Nestorian Theology]
* [http://www.cosmopolis.com/alexandria/hypatia-bio-john.html John of Nikiu, "Chronicle"] : the lynching of Hypatia
* [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf202.ii.ix.viii.html Socrates and Sozumenos "Ecclesiastical Histories" ch. vii]

Alexandria was the town he was pope in


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pope Dionysius of Alexandria — Martyrs Born late 2nd, early 3rd century Died November 17, 265 …   Wikipedia

  • Pope Markianos of Alexandria — (also known as Mark II) served as Patriarch of Alexandria between 142 and 152. He is commemorated in the Coptic Synaxarion on the 6th day of Tobi.[1] The seat of the Pope during his papacy remained in the Saint Mark s church in Alexandria.… …   Wikipedia

  • Pope Maximus of Alexandria — served as the 15th Pope of Alexandria (head of the church that became the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Greek Church of Alexandria) between 265 and 282. He is commemorated in the Coptic Synaxarion on the 14th day of Baramudah. References Maximus …   Wikipedia

  • Pope Avilius of Alexandria — (Abilius in the West), also known as Sabellius, Milius or Melyos served as the third Patriarch of Alexandria (head of the church that became the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Greek Church of Alexandria) between 83 and 95. He was enthroned during …   Wikipedia

  • Pope Demetrius of Alexandria — Saint Demetrius of Alexandria Patriarch of Alexandria Born 2nd century Alexandria Died 232 Honored in Roman Catholic Church, Coptic Church Pope Demetrius of Alexandria was Patriarch of A …   Wikipedia

  • Pope Theophilus II of Alexandria — was the Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark (953 – 956) …   Wikipedia

  • Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria — Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of all Africa redirects here. For Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, see Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. Bishop of Alexandria Bishopric …   Wikipedia

  • Pope St. Siricius —     Pope St. Siricius     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Pope St. Siricius     (384 99).     Born about 334; died 26 November, 399, Siricius was a native of Rome; his father s name was Tiburtius. Siricius entered the service of the Church at an early… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Theophilus — Various people have been known by the name Theophilus or Theophilos, which means Friend of God in Greek, and is thus similar to the Latin word Amadeus PeopleArts* Teófilo Braga * Theophilus Cibber (1703–1758), English actor, playwright, author,… …   Wikipedia

  • Pope Innocent I — Infobox Pope English name=Innocent I birth name=??? term start=401 term end=March 12, 417 predecessor=Anastasius I successor=Zosimus birth date=??? birthplace=??? dead=dead|death date=death date|417|3|12|mf=y deathplace=??? other=Innocent|… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”