Theophilus of Alexandria - Definition and Overview

Theophilus and the Serapeum

Theophilus of Alexandria, (? - 412) the Nicene patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt from 385 to 412, was succeeded by his nephew Cyril of Alexandria.

He was patriarch at a time of conflict between the newly dominant Christians and the pagan establishment in Alexandria, each supported by a segment of the Alexandrian mob. In 391, Theophilus (according to Rufinus and Sozomen) discovered a hidden pagan temple. He and his followers displayed the pagan artifacts to the public which offended the pagans enough to make them attack the Christians. The Christians attacked back and the pagans retreated 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 Christians lynched the Hypatia, they acclaimed 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 suported them for a time. Apparently also an opponent of the Nestorians

Critic of Heterodox

Accompanied by his nephew Cyril to Constantinople in 403 and was present at the "Synod of the Oak" that deposed John Chrysostom.

Surviving 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.

External links

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

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