Narcissus of Jerusalem
Encyclopedia
Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem (c. 99 – c. 216) was an early patriarch of Jerusalem
. He is venerated as a saint
by both the Western
and Eastern Churches. In the Roman Catholic Church
, his feast day is celebrated on October 29, while in the Eastern Orthodox Churches it is celebrated on August 7.
, the second Bishop of Jerusalem, who was martyred in the year 117 by the Emperor Trajan
Of Greek
origin, tradition holds that Narcissus was born in the year 99 and was at least 80 when he was made the thirtieth Bishop of Jerusalem. More than a century had then elapsed since the city was destroyed by the Romans, and it had since been rebuilt as Aelia Capitolina
by the Emperor Hadrian
.
In the year 195, St Narcissus, together with Theophitus or Theoctistus, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, presided over a council held by the bishops of Palestine in Caesarea, and it was decreed that Easter
was to be always kept on a Sunday
, and not with the Jewish Passover
. According to Eusebius
, the holy Bishop performed many miracles. One miracle of note, as Eusebius testified, had occurred during the Easter Vigil
when the saintly Bishop changed water into oil to supply all the lamps of the church.
Regardless of his sanctity, he was severely calumniated by certain members of his own flock. God made his innocence known and those who had sought to destroy St Narcissus by their lies were themselves found out to be liars and suffered for their sins. Prior to leaving Jerusalem, this holy man forgave all, and retired in seclusion for several years.
Three bishops governed the See
of Jerusalem in succession during his absence. Upon his return to Jerusalem, the people unanimously sought him out and asked him to resume his episcopal duties. This he did, but owing to his extreme age and the weight of the duties then thrust upon him, he made Saint Alexander his coadjutor Bishop. St Narcissus continued to serve his flock and other churches outside his jurisdiction by his constant, fervent prayer and his earnest exhortations to the faithful for unity and peace. St Narcissus died while in prayer on his knees at the age of 117.
St Alexander, who served as St Narcissus' coadjutor, wrote a letter in the year 212 that he had then reached the age of 116.
Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem is the head bishop of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, ranking fourth of nine Patriarchs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Since 2005, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem has been Theophilos III...
. He is venerated as a saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
by both the Western
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and Eastern Churches. In the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, his feast day is celebrated on October 29, while in the Eastern Orthodox Churches it is celebrated on August 7.
Life
It is inferred that the average reign of the bishops of Jerusalem was short, as evidenced by the episcopal reigns of those who followed Saint SimeonSimeon of Jerusalem
Saint Simeon of Jerusalem, son of Clopas, was a Jewish Christian leader and according to most Christian traditions the second Bishop of Jerusalem .-Life:Eusebius of Caesarea gives the list of these bishops...
, the second Bishop of Jerusalem, who was martyred in the year 117 by the Emperor Trajan
Trajan
Trajan , 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...
Of Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
origin, tradition holds that Narcissus was born in the year 99 and was at least 80 when he was made the thirtieth Bishop of Jerusalem. More than a century had then elapsed since the city was destroyed by the Romans, and it had since been rebuilt as Aelia Capitolina
Aelia Capitolina
Aelia Capitolina was a city built by the emperor Hadrian, and occupied by a Roman colony, on the site of Jerusalem, which was in ruins since 70 AD, leading in part to the Bar Kokhba revolt of 132–136.-Politics:...
by the Emperor Hadrian
Hadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
.
In the year 195, St Narcissus, together with Theophitus or Theoctistus, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, presided over a council held by the bishops of Palestine in Caesarea, and it was decreed that Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
was to be always kept on a Sunday
Sunday
Sunday is the day of the week between Saturday and Monday. For most Christians, Sunday is observed as a day for worship of God and rest, due to the belief that it is Lord's Day, the day of Christ's resurrection....
, and not with the Jewish Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
. According to Eusebius
Eusebius of Caesarea
Eusebius 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...
, the holy Bishop performed many miracles. One miracle of note, as Eusebius testified, had occurred during the Easter Vigil
Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is a service held in many Christian churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Historically, it is during this service that people are baptized and that adult catechumens are received into...
when the saintly Bishop changed water into oil to supply all the lamps of the church.
Regardless of his sanctity, he was severely calumniated by certain members of his own flock. God made his innocence known and those who had sought to destroy St Narcissus by their lies were themselves found out to be liars and suffered for their sins. Prior to leaving Jerusalem, this holy man forgave all, and retired in seclusion for several years.
Three bishops governed the See
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
of Jerusalem in succession during his absence. Upon his return to Jerusalem, the people unanimously sought him out and asked him to resume his episcopal duties. This he did, but owing to his extreme age and the weight of the duties then thrust upon him, he made Saint Alexander his coadjutor Bishop. St Narcissus continued to serve his flock and other churches outside his jurisdiction by his constant, fervent prayer and his earnest exhortations to the faithful for unity and peace. St Narcissus died while in prayer on his knees at the age of 117.
St Alexander, who served as St Narcissus' coadjutor, wrote a letter in the year 212 that he had then reached the age of 116.