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, 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 ''

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 Greek theologian and a significant figure in the Catechetical School of Alexandria from around AD 180. This school was the earliest catechetical school, and became infl ...

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 and early Christian sects. These various groups emphasized pe ...

in Osroene by consecrating Palut as bishop of Edessa, where Palut addressed the increasingly Gnostic tendencies that the churchman Bardesanes 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 partic ...

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 ...

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