John Arkhaph (also spelled Arkaph or Archaph) was the bishop of Memphis in Egypt in the 320s and 330s. He was a disciple of Bishop

Melitios of Lykopolis Melitius or Meletius (died 327) was bishop of Lycopolis in Egypt. He is known mainly as the founder and namesake of the Melitians (c. 305), one of several schismatic sects in early church history which were concerned about the ease with which lap ...

, whom he succeeded in 327 as leader of the

Church of the Martyrs The Melitians, sometimes called the Church of the Martyrs, were an early Christian sect in Egypt. They were founded about 306 by Bishop Melitius of Lycopolis and survived as a small group into the eighth century. The point on which they broke wit ...

.Scott T. Carroll (1989), ''The Melitian Schism: Coptic Christianity and the Egyptian Church'' (PhD diss., Miami University), p. 115. The origin and meaning of "Arkhaph" are uncertain. Athanasius treats it as a Coptic name and calls him "Archaph who is also called John". Socrates Scholasticus transforms it into the Biblical name Achab. Possibly it is formed from ''

arch An arch is a vertical curved structure that spans an elevated space and may or may not support the weight above it, or in case of a horizontal arch like an arch dam, the hydrostatic pressure against it. Arches may be synonymous with vaul ...

'' (supreme) and '' apa'' (father) as an alternate to the title archiereus (high priest), which was used of the bishop of Alexandria in some Coptic documents.W. Telfer (1955), "Meletius of Lycopolis and Episcopal Succession in Egypt", ''Harvard Theological Review'' 48(4): 227–237. Besides Athanasius and Socrates, the historian Sozomen is an important source for John's career. John is first mentioned in the ''Breviarium Melitii'', a list of bishops and other clergy of the Church of the Martyrs submitted by Melitios to the Council of Nicaea in 325. Nothing of his earlier life is known. Nor do any writings by him survive. He is "a shadowy and controversial figure".David M. Gwynn (2018)
"John Arkaph"
in David G. Hunter, Paul J.J. van Geest and Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte (eds.), ''Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online''. Consulted online on 7 September 2019. Melitios chose John as his successor shortly before his death in 327. The schism in the Egyptian church that had been healed at Nicaea was resumed in 328 at the election of Athanasius as

bishop of Alexandria The Patriarch of Alexandria is the archbishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Historically, this office has included the designation "pope" (etymologically "Father", like "Abbot"). The Alexandrian episcopate was revered as one of the three major episco ...

. John was a staunch opponent of Athanasius, although the two reconciled long enough for the Emperor

Constantine I Constantine I ( , ; la, Flavius Valerius Constantinus, ; ; 27 February 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337, the first one to convert to Christianity. Born in Naissus, Dacia Mediterranea ...

to send John a letter of congratulations for ending the schism. There is a note added beside John's name in Athanasius' copy of the ''Breviarium'': "was ordered by the emperor to be with the bishop". The exact meaning of the note and the identity of the bishop are a matter of academic debate. It may mean that John was ordered to submit to Athanasius in 328, or it may mean that John had been the representative of his church to the Alexandrian church at the time of the Council of Nicaea.Hans Hauben (2000), "John Arkhaph and 'the bishop' (Athan., ''Apol. Sec.'' 71.6): A Reassessment", ''Ancient Society'' 30: 271–275. Ultimately, the rivalry between John and Athanasius resulted in the latter's condemnation at the Council of Tyre in 335. Athanasius then went into exile, while John and his clergy were restored to their positions. Constantine, however, took exception to the council and exiled John and the rest of his clergy. In 337, the emperor died and Athanasius returned.Carroll (1989), p. 144. Nothing more is known of John after the Tyrian settlement fell apart.

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