Serapion was a

Patriarch of Antioch Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the bishop of Antioch (modern-day Antakya, Turkey). As the traditional "overseer" (ἐπίσκοπος, ''episkopos'', from which the word ''bishop'' is derived) of the first gentile Christian c ...

(191–211). He is known primarily through his theological writings, although all but a few fragments of his works have perished.Monks of Ramsgate. “Serapion”. ''Book of Saints'', 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 19 October 2016.
/ref> His feast day is celebrated on October 30.
/ref> Serapion was considered one of the chief theologians of his era.

Eusebius Eusebius of Caesarea (; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος ; 260/265 – 30 May 339), also known as Eusebius Pamphilus (from the grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος τοῦ Παμφίλου), was a Greek historian of Christianity, exegete, and Chris ...

refers to three works of Serapion in his history, but admits that others probably existed: first is a private letter addressed to Caricus and Pontius against

Montanism Montanism (), known by its adherents as the New Prophecy, was an early Christian movement of the late 2nd century, later referred to by the name of its founder, Montanus. Montanism held views about the basic tenets of Christian theology simi ...

, from which Eusebius quotes an extract ('' Historia ecclesiastica'' V, 19), as well as ascriptions showing that it was circulated amongst bishops in Asia and Thrace; next is a work addressed to a certain Domninus, who in time of persecution abandoned Christianity for the error of "Jewish will-worship" (''Hist. Eccles'', VI, 12). Lastly, Eusebius quotes (vi.12.2) from a pamphlet Serapion wrote concerning the

Docetic In the history of Christianity, docetism (from the grc-koi, δοκεῖν/δόκησις ''dokeĩn'' "to seem", ''dókēsis'' "apparition, phantom") is the heterodox doctrine that the phenomenon of Jesus, his historical and bodily existence, an ...

Gospel of Peter The Gospel of Peter ( grc, κατά Πέτρον ευαγγέλιον, kata Petron euangelion), or the Gospel according to Peter, is an ancient text concerning Jesus Christ, only partially known today. It is considered a non-canonical gospel and w ...

'', in which Serapion presents an argument to the Christian community of Rhossus in Syria against this gospel and condemns it. Eusebius also alludes to a number of personal letters Serapion wrote to Pontius, Caricus, and others about this ''Gospel of Peter''. Serapion also acted (

Pantaenus Saint Pantaenus the Philosopher ( el, Πάνταινος; died c. 200) was a Greeks, Greek theologian and a significant figure in the Catechetical School of Alexandria from around AD 180. This school was the earliest catechism, catechetical school ...

supported him) against the influence of

Gnosticism Gnosticism (from grc, γνωστικός, gnōstikós, , 'having knowledge') is a collection of religious ideas and systems which coalesced in the late 1st century AD among Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people ...

Osroene Osroene or Osrhoene (; grc-gre, Ὀσροηνή) was an ancient region and state in Upper Mesopotamia. The ''Kingdom of Osroene'', also known as the "Kingdom of Edessa" ( syc, ܡܠܟܘܬܐ ܕܒܝܬ ܐܘܪܗܝ / "Kingdom of Urhay"), according to ...

by consecrating

Palut Saint Mari, also known as Mares and originally named Palut, is a saint of the Church of the East. He was converted by Thaddeus of Edessa, or Addai, and is said to have had Mar Aggai as his spiritual director. Missionary work He is believed to ...

as bishop of Edessa, where Palut addressed the increasingly Gnostic tendencies that the churchman

Bardesanes Bardaisan (11 July 154 – 222 AD; syr, ܒܪ ܕܝܨܢ, ''Bardaiṣān''), known in Arabic as Ibn Daisan (ابن ديصان) and in Latin as Bardesanes, was a Syriac-speaking Assyrian or ParthianProds Oktor Skjaervo. ''Bardesanes''. Encyclopædia ...

was introducing to its Christian community. He ordained

as a

Priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particu ...

Bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...

in Edessa. Serapion was succeeded as bishop of Antioch by Asclepiades (Eusebius ''Historia ecclesiastica'' VI, 11, 4).

References

External links

Early Christian Writings:
Fragments of Serapion of Antioch {{Authority control 211 deaths Patriarchs of Antioch Christian anti-Gnosticism 2nd-century archbishops 3rd-century archbishops 3rd-century Christian saints Year of birth unknown