List of Patriarchs of Antioch
Encyclopedia
The Patriarch of Antioch
is one of the original patriarch
s of Early Christianity
, who presided over the bishop
s of Syria, Palestine, Armenia, Georgia, Mesopotamia, and India.
This deposition resulted in the Meletian Schism, which saw several groups and several claimants to the see of Antioch:
The Homoian
group
The Meletian group
The largest grouping, centred around the deposed bishop Meletius. It moved towards an acceptance of the Nicene creed
and participated in the Council of Constantinople
, but was not recognized by Alexandria
or Rome
:
The Eustathian group
The followers of Eustathius
, strictly adhering to the Nicene creed
, elected the following bishops, who were recognized by bishops of Alexandria and Rome:
After his death the Eustathians did not elect another bishop. In 399 they lost the recognition of Alexandria and Rome, but remained in schism until 415.
The Apollonarist
group
The Syriac Non-Chalcedonians recognized Severus as the legitimate Patriarch until his death in 538. In 544, Non-Chalcedonian leader Jacob Baradaeus
consecrated Sergius of Tella as bishop of Antioch, opening the lasting schism between the Syrian Orthodox Church
and the Byzantine Orthodox Church.
, see:
Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
is one of the original patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
s of Early Christianity
Early Christianity
Early Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John....
, who presided over the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of Syria, Palestine, Armenia, Georgia, Mesopotamia, and India.
Patriarchs of Antioch
- PeterSaint PeterSaint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
the Apostle (ca. 37–ca. 53) - EvodiusEvodiusSaint Evodius is a saint in the Christian Church and one of the first identifiable Christians.Very little is known of the life of St. Evodius. However, he was a pagan who converted to Christianity due to the apostolic work of Saint Peter. In the Book of Acts, one of the first communities to...
(ca. 53–ca. 69) - IgnatiusIgnatius of AntiochIgnatius of Antioch was among the Apostolic Fathers, was the third Bishop of Antioch, and was a student of John the Apostle. En route to his martyrdom in Rome, Ignatius wrote a series of letters which have been preserved as an example of very early Christian theology...
(ca. 70–ca. 107), who was martyred in the reign of TrajanTrajanTrajan , was Roman Emperor from 98 to 117 AD. Born into a non-patrician family in the province of Hispania Baetica, in Spain Trajan rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in Spain, in 89 Trajan supported the emperor against...
. His seven epistles are unique sources for the early Church. - HeronHerodion of AntiochSaint Herodian was a 2nd century Christian martyr and Bishop of Antioch, successor of Ignatius at Antioch, a title he held for two decades.-References:...
(107–127) - Cornelius (127–154)
- Eros (154–169)
- TheophilusTheophilus of AntiochTheophilus, Patriarch of Antioch, succeeded Eros c. 169, and was succeeded by Maximus I c.183, according to Henry Fynes Clinton, but these dates are only approximations...
(ca. 169–ca. 182) - Maximus I (182–191)
- SerapionSerapion of AntiochSerapion was Patriarch of Antioch . He is known primarily through his theological writings. Eusebius refers to three works of Serapion in his history, but admits that others probably existed: first is a private letter addressed to Caricus and Pontius against Montanism, from which Eusebius quotes an...
(191–211) - Ascelpiades the ConfessorAsclepiades of AntiochAsclepiades of Antioch was Patriarch of Antioch and martyr. He succeeded Serapion as Patriarch of Antioch, in 211. Given the title of martyr, due to the trials he endured, during Roman persecution.-References:...
(211–220) - Philetus (220–231)
- Zebinnus (231–237)
- Babylas the MartyrSaint BabylasSaint Babylas was a patriarch of Antioch , who died in prison during the Decian persecution. He asked to be buried in his chains. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine rite his feast day is September 4, in the Roman Catholic, January 24...
(237–ca. 250), who,according to Nicephorus, was martyred in the reign of DeciusDeciusTrajan Decius , was Roman Emperor from 249 to 251. In the last year of his reign, he co-ruled with his son Herennius Etruscus until they were both killed in the Battle of Abrittus.-Early life and rise to power:...
. - Fabius (253–256)
- DemetriusDemetrius of AntiochDemetrius was bishop of Antioch in the AD 3rd Century. In 253 he was taken to Persia as a captive by Shapur I. Despite being far from his see, Demetrius was not replaced as bishop until Paul of Samosata became bishop in 260.-Sources:...
(ca. 256–uncertain), who was taken captive by the Persians under ShapurShapur IShapur I or also known as Shapur I the Great was the second Sassanid King of the Second Persian Empire. The dates of his reign are commonly given as 240/42 - 270/72, but it is likely that he also reigned as co-regent prior to his father's death in 242 .-Early years:Shapur was the son of Ardashir I... - Paul of SamosataPaul of SamosataPaul of Samosata was Bishop of Antioch from 260 to 268. He was a believer in monarchianism, and his teachings anticipate adoptionism.-Life:...
(260–268) supported by ZenobiaZenobiaZenobia was a 3rd-century Queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Roman Syria. She led a famous revolt against the Roman Empire. The second wife of King Septimius Odaenathus, Zenobia became queen of the Palmyrene Empire following Odaenathus' death in 267...
, deposed by Emperor AurelianAurelianAurelian , was Roman Emperor from 270 to 275. During his reign, he defeated the Alamanni after a devastating war. He also defeated the Goths, Vandals, Juthungi, Sarmatians, and Carpi. Aurelian restored the Empire's eastern provinces after his conquest of the Palmyrene Empire in 273. The following...
; in Paul's time Lucian of AntiochLucian of AntiochSaint Lucian of Antioch , known as Lucian the Martyr, was a Christian presbyter, theologian and martyr. He was noted for both his scholarship and ascetic piety.-History:...
was head of the Antiochene catechetical school - Domnus I (268/9–273/4) supported by Emperor Aurelian
- Timaeus (273/4–282)
- Cyril I (283–303)
- Tyrannus (304–314)
- Vitalis (314–320)
- Philogonus (320–323)
- EustathiusEustathius of AntiochEustathius of Antioch, sometimes surnamed the Great, was a bishop and patriarch of Antioch in the 4th century.He was a native of Side in Pamphylia. About 320 he was bishop of Beroea, and he became patriarch of Antioch shortly before the Council of Nicaea in 325...
(324–330), formerly Bishop of BeroeaAleppoAleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
, a steadfast opponent of ArianismArianismArianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
; he was disposed in 327 and banished in 329. However, the adherents of the Nicene creedNicene CreedThe Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
considered him the rightful bishop until his death. - Paulinus (330, six months), formerly bishop of Tyre, Semi-ArianArianismArianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
and friend of Eusebius of CaesareaEusebius of CaesareaEusebius of Caesarea also called Eusebius Pamphili, was a Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist. He became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine about the year 314. Together with Pamphilus, he was a scholar of the Biblical canon... - Eulalius (331–332)
- Euphronius (332–333)
- Flacillus or Facellius (333–342), in whose time renovations were made to the great church of Antioch, according to Nicephorus.
- Stephanus I (342–344), ArianArianismArianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
and opponent of Athanasius of AlexandriaAthanasius of AlexandriaAthanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
, deposed in 344. - Leontius the Eunuch (344–358), ArianArianismArianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
- EudoxiusEudoxius of AntiochEudoxius was the eighth bishop of Constantinople from January 27, 360 to 370, previously bishop of Germanicia and of Antioch, and was one of the most influential Arians.-Biography:...
(358–359), formerly bishop of Germanicia, later (360–370) bishop of ConstantinopleConstantinopleConstantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, HomoianArianismArianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father... - Annanios (359), immediately deposed
- MeletiusMeletius of AntiochSaint Meletius of Antioch was a Christian bishop, or Patriarch of Antioch, from 360 until his death. There were contrasting view about his theological position: on the one hand, he was exiled three times under Arian emperors; on the other, he was strongly opposed by those faithful to the memory...
(360—361), Semi-Arian, deposed in the reign of ValensValensValens was the Eastern Roman Emperor from 364 to 378. He was given the eastern half of the empire by his brother Valentinian I after the latter's accession to the throne...
for HomoiousianHomoiousianHomoiousianism was a 4th century AD movement which arose in the early period of the Christian religion out of a wing of Arianism...
leanings
This deposition resulted in the Meletian Schism, which saw several groups and several claimants to the see of Antioch:
The Homoian
Arianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
group
- Euzoius (361–378), supported by Emperor ValensValensValens was the Eastern Roman Emperor from 364 to 378. He was given the eastern half of the empire by his brother Valentinian I after the latter's accession to the throne...
- Dorotheos (378–381)
The Meletian group
The largest grouping, centred around the deposed bishop Meletius. It moved towards an acceptance of the Nicene creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
and participated in the Council of Constantinople
First Council of Constantinople
The First Council of Constantinople is recognized as the Second Ecumenical Council by the Assyrian Church of the East, the Oriental Orthodox, the Eastern Orthodox, the Roman Catholics, the Old Catholics, and a number of other Western Christian groups. It was the first Ecumenical Council held in...
, but was not recognized by Alexandria
Patriarch of Alexandria
The Patriarch of Alexandria is the Archbishop of Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Historically, this office has included the designation of Pope , and did so earlier than that of the Bishop of Rome...
or Rome
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
:
- MeletiusMeletius of AntiochSaint Meletius of Antioch was a Christian bishop, or Patriarch of Antioch, from 360 until his death. There were contrasting view about his theological position: on the one hand, he was exiled three times under Arian emperors; on the other, he was strongly opposed by those faithful to the memory...
(362–381), who attended the second Council of ConstantinopleCouncil of ConstantinopleCouncil of Constantinople can refer to:*Council of Constantinople , a local council*First Council of Constantinople, the Second Ecumenical Council, in 381 or 383.*Synod of Constantinople , a local council which condemned Origen....
. - Flavian I (381–404), he obtained the recognition of Alexandria and Rome in 399
- Porphyrus (404–412)
- Alexander (412–417), he ended the schism with the Eustathians in 415.
The Eustathian group
The followers of Eustathius
Eustathius of Antioch
Eustathius of Antioch, sometimes surnamed the Great, was a bishop and patriarch of Antioch in the 4th century.He was a native of Side in Pamphylia. About 320 he was bishop of Beroea, and he became patriarch of Antioch shortly before the Council of Nicaea in 325...
, strictly adhering to the Nicene creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
, elected the following bishops, who were recognized by bishops of Alexandria and Rome:
- PaulinusPaulinus, Bishop of AntiochPaulinus was a claimant to the See of Antioch from 362 to 388. He was supported by members of the Eustathian party, and was a rival to Meletius of Antioch. The Eustathians objected to Miletius having been consecrated by Arians, and had begun to meet separately...
(362–388) - EvagriusEvagrius of AntiochEvagrius of Antioch was a claimant to the See of Antioch from 388 to 392. He succeeded Paulinus and had the support of the Eustathian party, and was a rival to Flavian during the so-called Meletian schism.- History :...
(388–393)
After his death the Eustathians did not elect another bishop. In 399 they lost the recognition of Alexandria and Rome, but remained in schism until 415.
The Apollonarist
Apollinaris of Laodicea
Apollinaris "the Younger" was a bishop of Laodicea in Syria. He collaborated with his father Apollinaris the Elder in reproducing the Old Testament in the form of Homeric and Pindaric poetry, and the New Testament after the fashion of Platonic dialogues, when the emperor Julian had forbidden...
group
- Vitalis (376–?), formerly a follower of Meletius, consecrated by Apollinaris of LaodiceaApollinaris of LaodiceaApollinaris "the Younger" was a bishop of Laodicea in Syria. He collaborated with his father Apollinaris the Elder in reproducing the Old Testament in the form of Homeric and Pindaric poetry, and the New Testament after the fashion of Platonic dialogues, when the emperor Julian had forbidden...
- TheodotusTheodotus of AntiochTheodotus, patriarch of Antioch , in A.D. 420 succeeded Alexander, under whom the long-standing schism at Antioch had been healed, and followed his lead in replacing the honoured name of Chrysostom on the diptychs of the church...
(417–428)(alternately 420–429) - John IJohn of AntiochJohn of Antioch was Patriarch of Antioch and led a group of moderate Eastern bishops during the Nestorian controversy. He is sometimes confused with John Chrysostom, who is occasionally also referred to as John of Antioch. John gave active support to his friend Nestorius in the latter's dispute...
(428–442), condemned the First Council of Ephesus in the NestorianNestorianismNestorianism is a Christological doctrine advanced by Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople from 428–431. The doctrine, which was informed by Nestorius's studies under Theodore of Mopsuestia at the School of Antioch, emphasizes the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus...
controversy - Domnus IIDomnus II of AntiochDomnus II, Patriarch of Antioch of the heavily religious Eastern Roman Empire, and a friend of the influential Saint Theodoret Bishop of Cyrrhus. He was nephew of John I, Patriarch of Antioch, brought up under Euthymius the famous hermit of Palestine. He was ordained deacon by Juvenal of Jerusalem...
(442–449), deposed by the Second Council of EphesusSecond Council of EphesusThe Second Council of Ephesus was a church synod in 449 AD. It was convoked by Emperor Theodosius II as an ecumenical council but because of the controversial proceedings it was not accepted as ecumenical, labelled a Robber Synod and later repudiated at the Council of Chalcedon.-The first...
. - Maximus IIMaximus II of AntiochMaximus II was a 5th century patriarch of Antioch. After the deposition of Domnus II by the Second Council of Ephesus, 449, Dioscorus persuaded the emperor Theodosius II to fill the vacancy with one of the clergy of Constantinople...
(449–455), appointed by Emperor Theodosius IITheodosius IITheodosius II , commonly surnamed Theodosius the Younger, or Theodosius the Calligrapher, was Byzantine Emperor from 408 to 450. He is mostly known for promulgating the Theodosian law code, and for the construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople...
, accepted the Council of ChalcedonCouncil of ChalcedonThe Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
, deposed under unclear circumstances. - Basil of Antioch (456–458), Chalcedonian
- Acacius of Antioch (458–461), Chalcedonian
- MartyriusMartyrius of AntiochMartyrius was Patriarch of Antioch from 460 to 470. A Chalcedonian, his patriarchate was dominated by strife between the Chalcedonians and Non-Chalcedonians....
(461–469), Chalcedonian, deposed by general Zeno - Peter the FullerPeter the FullerPeter Fullo was Patriarch of Antioch and Non-Chalcedonian.Peter received his surname from his former trade as a fuller of cloth. Tillemont Peter Fullo ("the Fuller") was Patriarch of Antioch (471–488) and Non-Chalcedonian.Peter received his surname from his former trade as a fuller of cloth....
(469/470-471), Non-ChalcedonianNon-ChalcedonianNon-Chalcedonianism is the view of those churches that accepted the First Council of Ephesus of 431, but, for varying reasons, did not accept allegiance to the Council of Chalcedon following it in 451. The most substantial Non-Chalcedonian tradition is known as Oriental Orthodoxy...
, appointed by general Zeno, deposed by Emperor Leo I - Julian (471–476), Chalcedonian, exiled by Peter the Fuller
- Peter the FullerPeter the FullerPeter Fullo was Patriarch of Antioch and Non-Chalcedonian.Peter received his surname from his former trade as a fuller of cloth. Tillemont Peter Fullo ("the Fuller") was Patriarch of Antioch (471–488) and Non-Chalcedonian.Peter received his surname from his former trade as a fuller of cloth....
(476), Non-Chalcedonian, restored by usurper BasiliscusBasiliscusBasiliscus was Eastern Roman Emperor from 475 to 476. A member of the House of Leo, he came to power when Emperor Zeno had been forced out of Constantinople by a revolt....
, exiled by Emperor ZenoZeno (emperor)Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues... - John II Codonatus (476–477), Non-Chalcedonian, who held the see only three months and was exiled
- Stephanus II (477–479), Chalcedonian
- Callandion/Calandion (479–485), Chalcedonian, opposed the Henoticon, exiled by Zeno, replaced by Peter the Fuller
- Peter the FullerPeter the FullerPeter Fullo was Patriarch of Antioch and Non-Chalcedonian.Peter received his surname from his former trade as a fuller of cloth. Tillemont Peter Fullo ("the Fuller") was Patriarch of Antioch (471–488) and Non-Chalcedonian.Peter received his surname from his former trade as a fuller of cloth....
(485–488), Non-Chalcedonian, restored by Emperor ZenoZeno (emperor)Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues...
and condemned the same year (485) by a synod at Rome - Palladius (488–498), Chalcedonian, accepted the Henoticon,
- Flavian IIFlavian II of AntiochFlavian II of Antioch , bishop or patriarch of Antioch, was chosen by the Emperor Anastasius I to succeed Palladius, most probably in 498....
(498–512), Chalcedonian, accepted the Henoticon, deposed by Emperor Anastasius IAnastasius I (emperor)Anastasius I was Byzantine Emperor from 491 to 518. During his reign the Roman eastern frontier underwent extensive re-fortification, including the construction of Dara, a stronghold intended to counter the Persian fortress of Nisibis....
. - SeverusSeverus of AntiochSeverus, Patriarch of Antioch , born approximately 465 in Sozopolis in Pisidia, was by birth and education a pagan, who was baptized in the "precinct of the divine martyr Leontius" at Tripoli, Lebanon.- Life :...
(512–518), Non-Chalcedonian, appointed by Emperor Anatasius IAnastasius I (emperor)Anastasius I was Byzantine Emperor from 491 to 518. During his reign the Roman eastern frontier underwent extensive re-fortification, including the construction of Dara, a stronghold intended to counter the Persian fortress of Nisibis....
, deposed by Emperor Justin IJustin IJustin I was Byzantine Emperor from 518 to 527. He rose through the ranks of the army and ultimately became its Emperor, in spite of the fact he was illiterate and almost 70 years old at the time of accession...
. - Paul the Jew (518–521), Chalcedonian
- Euphrasius (521–528), Chalcedonian
- Ephrem of AmidEphraim of AntiochEphraim of Antioch or of Amida |Amida]] in Mesopotamia; d. in 545) was Patriarch of Antioch and a Church Father. He was one of the defenders of the Faith of the Council of Chalcedon against the Monophysites. He is an Orthodox saint.-Life:...
(528–546), Chalcedonian
The Syriac Non-Chalcedonians recognized Severus as the legitimate Patriarch until his death in 538. In 544, Non-Chalcedonian leader Jacob Baradaeus
Jacob Baradaeus
Jacob Baradaeus was Bishop of Edessa from 543 until his death. One of the most important figures in the history of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Oriental Orthodox churches generally, he was a defender of the Monophysite movement in a time when its strength was declining...
consecrated Sergius of Tella as bishop of Antioch, opening the lasting schism between the Syrian Orthodox Church
Syriac Orthodox Church
The Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
and the Byzantine Orthodox Church.
Later patriarchs
For later Patriarchs of AntiochPatriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
, see:
- Chalcedonian lines of Patriarchs:
- List of Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch 518 to present
- List of Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchs of Antioch, covers 1724 to present
- List of Maronite Patriarchs 8th century to present
- List of Latin Patriarchs of Antioch from 1098 to 1964, when post was abolished
- Non-Chalcedonian lines of Patriarchs
- List of Syriac Patriarchs of Antioch from 512 to 1783
- List of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch, covers 1783 to present
- List of Syriac Catholic Patriarchs of Antioch, covers 1783 to present