Pope Dionysius of Alexandria: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Head of the Church in Alexandria from 248 to 264}} |
{{Short description|Head of the Church in Alexandria from 248 to 264}} |
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'''Dionysius the Great''' ({{ |
'''Dionysius the Great''' ({{langx|grc|Διονύσιος Ἀλεξανδρείας}}) was the 14th [[List of Patriarchs of Alexandria|Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria]] from 28 December 248 until his death on 22 March 264. Most information known about him comes from a large corpus of correspondence. Only one complete letter survives; the remaining letters are excerpted in the works of [[Eusebius]]. |
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Called "the Great" by Eusebius, [[Basil of Caesarea]] and others, he was characterized by the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' as "undoubtedly, after [[Cyprian|St. Cyprian]], the most eminent bishop of the third century... like St. Cyprian, less a great theologian than a great administrator."<ref name="cathen"/> |
Called "the Great" by Eusebius, [[Basil of Caesarea]] and others, he was characterized by the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' as "undoubtedly, after [[Cyprian|St. Cyprian]], the most eminent bishop of the third century... like St. Cyprian, less a great theologian than a great administrator."<ref name="cathen"/> |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Dionysius was born to a wealthy polytheistic family sometime in the late 2nd, or early 3rd century. He spent most of his life reading books and carefully studying the traditions of polytheists. He converted to Christianity at a mature age and discussed his conversion experience with Philemon, a presbyter of [[Pope Sixtus II]].<ref name = cathen>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05011a.htm Chapman, John. "Dionysius of Alexandria." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 6 Apr. 2013 ]</ref> Dionysius converted to Christianity when he |
Dionysius was born to a wealthy [[Polytheism|polytheistic]] family sometime in the late 2nd, or early 3rd century. He spent most of his life reading books and carefully studying the traditions of polytheists. He converted to Christianity at a mature age and discussed his conversion experience with Philemon, a presbyter of [[Pope Sixtus II]].<ref name = cathen>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05011a.htm Chapman, John. "Dionysius of Alexandria." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 6 Apr. 2013 ]</ref> Dionysius converted to Christianity when he had a vision from God, in which he was commanded to study and refute the heresies facing the early Christians. After his conversion, he joined the [[Catechetical School of Alexandria]] and was a student of [[Origen]] and [[Pope Heraclas of Alexandria|Pope Heraclas]]. He eventually became leader of the school and presbyter of the church, succeeding Pope Heraclas in 231. In 248, Dionysius succeeded Pope Heraclas, becoming Pope of the church of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.<ref name = cathen/> |
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==Life as Pope of Alexandria== |
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Dionysius was more |
Dionysius was a more able administrator than theologian.<ref name = cathen/> Information on his work as Bishop of Alexandria is found in Dionysius' correspondence with other bishops and clergymen of the third century Catholic Church. Dionysius’ correspondences included interpretations on the [[Gospel of Luke]], the [[Gospel of John]] and the [[Book of Revelation]].<ref>[http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/288.html Kiefer, James E., "Dionysius of Alexandria, Bishop and Scholar", Biographical sketches of memorable Christians of the past]</ref> |
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During 249, a major persecution was carried out in Alexandria by a polytheist mob, and hundreds were assaulted, stoned, burned or cut down on account of their refusal to deny their faith. Dionysius managed to survive |
During 249, a major persecution was carried out in Alexandria by a polytheist mob, and hundreds of Christians were assaulted, stoned, burned or cut down on account of their refusal to deny their faith. Dionysius managed to survive that persecution and subsequent civil war. In January 250, the new emperor [[Decius]] issued a decree of [[Decian persecution|legal persecution]]. Out of fear, many Christians denied their faith by offering a token polytheist sacrifice, and others attempted to obtain false documents affirming their sacrifice. Those who refused to sacrifice faced public ridicule and shame and, if found by the authorities, torture and execution. Many fled from the city into the desert, where most succumbed to exposure, hunger, thirst, or attacks by bandits or wild animals.<ref name=college>[http://stdionysius.sca.org.nz/dionysius.html "Saint Dionysius", The College of Saint Dionysius]</ref> |
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Dionysius himself was pursued by the prefect [[Aurelius Appius Sabinus]], who had sent |
Dionysius himself was pursued by the prefect [[Aurelius Appius Sabinus]], who had sent an assassin to murder him on sight. Dionysius spent three days in hiding before departing on the fourth night of the Decian decree with his servants and other loyal brethren. After a brush with a group of soldiers, he managed to escape with two of his followers, and set up a residence in the Libyan desert until the end of the persecution the following year.<ref name=college/> |
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He supported [[Pope Cornelius]] in the controversy of 251, arising when [[Novatian]], a learned presbyter of the Church at Rome, set up a schismatic church with a rigorist position |
He supported [[Pope Cornelius]] in the controversy of 251, arising when [[Novatian]], a learned presbyter of the Church at Rome, set up a schismatic church with a rigorist position against communing Christians who had [[Apostasy|apostatized]] during the persecution. In opposition to Novatian's teaching, Dionysius ordered that the [[Eucharist]] should be refused to no one who asked it at the hour of death, even those who had previously [[Lapsi (Christianity)|lapsed]].<ref name=butler>[http://www.bartleby.com/210/11/172.html Butler, Alban. ''Lives of the Saints'', Vol. XI, 1866]</ref> |
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In 252 an outbreak of plague ravaged Alexandria, and |
In 252, an outbreak of plague ravaged Alexandria, and Dionysius—along with other clergy—assisted the sick and dying.<ref Name=college/> |
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Christian persecutions subsided somewhat under [[Trebonianus Gallus]], but were renewed under his successor [[Valerian (emperor)|Valerian]]. Dionysius was imprisoned and then exiled under Valerian. When [[Gallienus]] took over the empire, he released all the believers who were in prison and brought back those in exile. Gallienus wrote to Dionysius and other bishops a letter ensuring their safety and ability to reopen their churches.<ref name=coptic>[http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/synexarion/popeDionysius.html "The Story of Abba Dionysius", Coptic Orthodox Church]</ref> |
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During the debate |
During the debate between [[Pope Stephen I|Pope Stephen]] and [[Cyprian]], Dionysius supported the position of the Stephen but supported the autonomy of the African churches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Dionysius of Alexandria {{!}} Christian theologian {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Dionysius-of-Alexandria |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
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[[Basil of Caesarea]] |
[[Basil of Caesarea]] wrote to [[Pope Damasus I]] about aid sent, by Dionysius, to the church at [[Caesarea Maritima|Caesarea]]. That correspondence is cited by [[Pope Pius IX]] in his encyclical ''[[Praedecessores nostros|Praedecessores Nostros]] (On Aid For Ireland)'' of 25 March 1847.<ref>[http://www.ewtn.com/library/encyc/p9praede.htm Pope Pius IX, ''Praedecessors Nostros'', 25 March 1847]</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{Gutenberg author | id= |
* {{Gutenberg author | id=38337| name=Saint Dionysius}} |
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* {{Internet Archive author |search=( Dionysius AND (Pope OR Saint OR St.) AND (Alexandria OR Great) ) |dname=Saint Dionysius}} |
* {{Internet Archive author |search=( Dionysius AND (Pope OR Saint OR St.) AND (Alexandria OR Great) ) |dname=Saint Dionysius}} |
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*''The works of Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius of Alexandria and Archelaus'', trans. [[S. D. F. Salmond]], Edinburgh, T. & T. Clark, 1871: [https://books.google.com/books?id=4cYUAAAAQAAJ Google Books], [https://archive.org/details/worksofgregoryth00gregiala archive.org] |
*''The works of Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius of Alexandria and Archelaus'', trans. [[S. D. F. Salmond]], Edinburgh, T. & T. Clark, 1871: [https://books.google.com/books?id=4cYUAAAAQAAJ Google Books], [https://archive.org/details/worksofgregoryth00gregiala archive.org] |
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[[Category:264 deaths]] |
[[Category:264 deaths]] |
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[[Category:3rd-century Popes and Patriarchs of Alexandria]] |
[[Category:3rd-century Popes and Patriarchs of Alexandria]] |
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[[Category:3rd-century Egyptian bishops]] |
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[[Category:3rd-century Christian theologians]] |
[[Category:3rd-century Christian theologians]] |
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[[Category:3rd-century Christian saints]] |
[[Category:3rd-century Christian saints]] |
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Latest revision as of 12:12, 29 October 2024
Dionysius the Great | |
|---|---|
| Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria | |
 Pope Dionysius the Great | |
| Archdiocese | Alexandria |
| See | Alexandria |
| Papacy began | 28 December 248 |
| Papacy ended | 22 March 264 |
| Predecessor | Heraclas |
| Successor | Maximus |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | 22 March 264 Egypt |
| Buried | Church of the Cave, Alexandria |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Alma mater | Catechetical School of Alexandria |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 13 Paremhat (Coptic Christianity)[1] 8 April[2] |
| Venerated in | Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy Oriental Orthodoxy |
Dionysius the Great (Ancient Greek: Διονύσιος Ἀλεξανδρείας) was the 14th Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria from 28 December 248 until his death on 22 March 264. Most information known about him comes from a large corpus of correspondence. Only one complete letter survives; the remaining letters are excerpted in the works of Eusebius.
Called "the Great" by Eusebius, Basil of Caesarea and others, he was characterized by the Catholic Encyclopedia as "undoubtedly, after St. Cyprian, the most eminent bishop of the third century... like St. Cyprian, less a great theologian than a great administrator."[3]
Early life
[edit]Dionysius was born to a wealthy polytheistic family sometime in the late 2nd, or early 3rd century. He spent most of his life reading books and carefully studying the traditions of polytheists. He converted to Christianity at a mature age and discussed his conversion experience with Philemon, a presbyter of Pope Sixtus II.[3] Dionysius converted to Christianity when he had a vision from God, in which he was commanded to study and refute the heresies facing the early Christians. After his conversion, he joined the Catechetical School of Alexandria and was a student of Origen and Pope Heraclas. He eventually became leader of the school and presbyter of the church, succeeding Pope Heraclas in 231. In 248, Dionysius succeeded Pope Heraclas, becoming Pope of the church of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.[3]
Life as Pope of Alexandria
[edit]Dionysius was a more able administrator than theologian.[3] Information on his work as Bishop of Alexandria is found in Dionysius' correspondence with other bishops and clergymen of the third century Catholic Church. Dionysius’ correspondences included interpretations on the Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation.[4]
During 249, a major persecution was carried out in Alexandria by a polytheist mob, and hundreds of Christians were assaulted, stoned, burned or cut down on account of their refusal to deny their faith. Dionysius managed to survive that persecution and subsequent civil war. In January 250, the new emperor Decius issued a decree of legal persecution. Out of fear, many Christians denied their faith by offering a token polytheist sacrifice, and others attempted to obtain false documents affirming their sacrifice. Those who refused to sacrifice faced public ridicule and shame and, if found by the authorities, torture and execution. Many fled from the city into the desert, where most succumbed to exposure, hunger, thirst, or attacks by bandits or wild animals.[5]
Dionysius himself was pursued by the prefect Aurelius Appius Sabinus, who had sent an assassin to murder him on sight. Dionysius spent three days in hiding before departing on the fourth night of the Decian decree with his servants and other loyal brethren. After a brush with a group of soldiers, he managed to escape with two of his followers, and set up a residence in the Libyan desert until the end of the persecution the following year.[5]
He supported Pope Cornelius in the controversy of 251, arising when Novatian, a learned presbyter of the Church at Rome, set up a schismatic church with a rigorist position against communing Christians who had apostatized during the persecution. In opposition to Novatian's teaching, Dionysius ordered that the Eucharist should be refused to no one who asked it at the hour of death, even those who had previously lapsed.[6]
In 252, an outbreak of plague ravaged Alexandria, and Dionysius—along with other clergy—assisted the sick and dying.[5]
Christian persecutions subsided somewhat under Trebonianus Gallus, but were renewed under his successor Valerian. Dionysius was imprisoned and then exiled under Valerian. When Gallienus took over the empire, he released all the believers who were in prison and brought back those in exile. Gallienus wrote to Dionysius and other bishops a letter ensuring their safety and ability to reopen their churches.[7]
During the debate between Pope Stephen and Cyprian, Dionysius supported the position of the Stephen but supported the autonomy of the African churches.[8]
Legacy
[edit]Basil of Caesarea wrote to Pope Damasus I about aid sent, by Dionysius, to the church at Caesarea. That correspondence is cited by Pope Pius IX in his encyclical Praedecessores Nostros (On Aid For Ireland) of 25 March 1847.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Baramhat 13 : Lives of Saints : Synaxarium - CopticChurch.net".
- ^ Martyrologium Romanum
- ^ a b c d Chapman, John. "Dionysius of Alexandria." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 6 Apr. 2013
- ^ Kiefer, James E., "Dionysius of Alexandria, Bishop and Scholar", Biographical sketches of memorable Christians of the past
- ^ a b c "Saint Dionysius", The College of Saint Dionysius
- ^ Butler, Alban. Lives of the Saints, Vol. XI, 1866
- ^ "The Story of Abba Dionysius", Coptic Orthodox Church
- ^ "Saint Dionysius of Alexandria | Christian theologian | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ^ Pope Pius IX, Praedecessors Nostros, 25 March 1847
External links
[edit]- Works by Saint Dionysius at Project Gutenberg
- Works by or about Saint Dionysius at the Internet Archive
- The works of Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius of Alexandria and Archelaus, trans. S. D. F. Salmond, Edinburgh, T. & T. Clark, 1871: Google Books, archive.org
- F. C. Conybeare, "Dionysius of Alexandria, Newly discovered letters to the Popes Stephen and Xystus", English Historical Review 25 (1910) pp. 111-114 (tertullian.org copy)
- Bishop of Alexandria, Saint Dionysius, "St. Dionysius of Alexandria Letters and Treatises", edited by Charles Lett Feltoe, The MacMillin Company, London, 1918
- Works by Pope Dionysius of Alexandria at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)
