Theophilus

Theophilus (d. 412) was patriarch of Alexandria and one of the most controversial churchmen of the late fourth and early fifth centuries. He is best known for his ruthless suppression of paganism in Alexandria — including the destruction of the Serapeum in 391 — and for his role in the deposition of John Chrysostom at the Synod of the Oak in 403, an act of ecclesiastical power politics that shocked even those accustomed to rough church politics. He appears 8 times in this collection, primarily as a recipient of Jerome's letters. Jerome and Theophilus were allies in the Origenist controversy — both opposed the theology of Origen, and their correspondence reflects this shared cause as well as the broader ecclesiastical politics of the Eastern Mediterranean. Theophilus matters as a reminder that the early church was not always edifying — it was also a world of ambition, faction, and the ruthless exercise of institutional power. His career, glimpsed through these letters, shows the darker side of episcopal authority in late antiquity.
5
Letters sent
19
Letters received
24
Total letters
4
Correspondents

Top correspondents

All letters (24)

From Basil of Caesareac. 371

It is some time since I received your letter, but I waited to be able to reply by some fit person; that so the bearer of my answer might supply whatever might be wanting in it. Now there has arrived our much beloved and very reverend brother Strategius, and I have judged it well to make use of his services, both as knowing my mind and able to co...

basil caesarea #245
From Jeromec. 391

When the dispute arose between Jerome and Epiphanius on the one side and Rufinus and John of Jerusalem on the other (see Letter LI.), Theophilus bishop of Alexandria, being appealed to by the latter sent the presbyter Isidore to report to him on the matter. Isidore reported against Jerome and consequently Theophilus refused to answer several of ...

jerome #63
From Jeromec. 397

Two years after his former attempt (see Letter LXIII.) Theophilus again wrote to Jerome urging him to be reconciled with John of Jerusalem. Jerome replies that there is nothing he desires more earnestly than peace but that this must be real and not a hollow truce. He speaks very bitterly of John who has, he alleges, intrigued to procure his bani...

jerome #82
From Jeromec. 399

Jerome congratulates Theophilus on the success of his crusade against Origenism, and speaks of the good work done in Palestine by his emissaries Priscus and Eubulus. He then (by a singular change in his sentiments) asks Theophilus to forgive John of Jerusalem for having unwittingly received an excommunicated Egyptian. The date of the Letter is 4...

jerome #86
To Jeromec. 399

Theophilus informs Jerome that he has expelled the Origenists from the monasteries of Nitria, and urges him to show his zeal for the faith by writing against the prevalent heresy. The date of the letter is 400 A.D. Theophilus, bishop, to the well-beloved and most loving brother, the presbyter Jerome.

jerome #87
From Jeromec. 399

Replying to the preceding letter Jerome again congratulates Theophilus on the success of his efforts to put down Origenism, and informs him that they have already borne fruit as far west as Italy. He then asks him for the decrees of his council (held recently at Alexandria). The date of the letter is 400 A.D.

jerome #88
To Jeromec. 400

This letter (probably earlier in date than the three preceding) commends to Jerome the monk Theodore, who, having come from Rome to declare the condemnation of Origenism by the church there, had visited the monasteries of Nitria now purged of heresy, and wished before returning to the West to see the Holy Places as well. The date of the letter i...

jerome #89
From Jeromec. 401

The synodical letter of the council of Jerusalem sent to Theophilus in reply to the preceding. The translation as before is due to Jerome. The following is an epitome: We have done all that you wished, and Palestine is almost wholly free from the taint of heresy.

jerome #93
From Jeromec. 401

In this letter (translated into Latin by Jerome) Dionysius, bishop of Lydda, praises Theophilus for his signal victories over Origenism and urges him to continue his efforts against that heresy. Written in 400 A.D. About this page Source.

jerome #94
To Jeromec. 402

A translation by Jerome of Theophilus's paschal letter for the year 401 A.D. In it Theophilus refutes at length the heresies of Apollinaris and Origen. About this page Source.

jerome #96
To Jeromec. 403

A translation by Jerome of Theophilus's paschal letter for the year 402 A.D. Like that of the previous year (Letter XCVI.) it deals mainly with the heresies of Apollinarius and Origen. About this page Source.

jerome #98
From Jeromec. 403

Jerome forwards to Theophilus a translation of the latter's paschal letter for 404 A.D. and apologizes for his delay in sending it, on the ground that ill-health and grief for the death of Paula have prevented him from doing literary work. The date of the letter is 404 A.D.

jerome #99
From Isidore of Pelusiumc. 405

Correction that actually corrects must come from those with the authority and standing to give it — from teachers,...

isidore pelusium #188
To Jeromec. 408

Theophilus, bishop of Alexandria, had compiled an invective against John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople who was nosy (largely through his efforts) an exile from his see. This he now sends to Jerome with a request that the latter will render it into Latin for dissemination in the West. The invective (of which only a few fragments remain) is...

jerome #113
From Jeromec. 408

Jerome writes to Theophilus to apologize for his delay in sending Latin versions of the latter's letter (CXIII.) and invective against John Chrysostom. Possibly, however, the allusion may be not to these but to some other work of Theophilus (e.g. a paschal letter.) This delay he attributes to the disturbed state of Palestine, the severity of the...

jerome #114
From Synesius of Cyrenec. 411

Most holy and wise prelate — may you enjoy a long and comfortable old age!

synesius cyrene #9
From Synesius of Cyrenec. 411

Since I am about to put a question to you, let me first explain the background.

synesius cyrene #66
From Synesius of Cyrenec. 411

I act on your instructions because it is my desire — and a divine necessity compels me — to treat as law whatever...

synesius cyrene #67
From Synesius of Cyrenec. 411

The man carrying this letter has been sent on a piece of business that piety does not allow me to describe.

synesius cyrene #68
From Synesius of Cyrenec. 411

The Olbiates — a village community — were required to elect a bishop to replace the blessed father Athamas, who died...

synesius cyrene #76
From Synesius of Cyrenec. 411

Justice has departed from humanity.

synesius cyrene #90
From Synesius of Cyrenec. 412

You care for Pentapolis — you truly do.

synesius cyrene #69
From Synesius of Cyrenec. 412

I was prepared to place my hand and my judgment at the service of your fatherly command.

synesius cyrene #80
From Isidore of Pelusiumc. 426

What you will often leave to your enemies against your will — give it willingly now.

isidore pelusium #1528