Meletius of Antioch
Antioch·4th century·Lesser Armenia·Christianity
Meletius of Antioch was a Christian patriarch of Antioch from 360 until his death in 381, whose episcopate was significantly shaped by the Meletian schism. He was exiled multiple times under Arian emperors but was also opposed by staunchly pro-Nicene factions. Meletius played a key role in the First Council of Constantinople in 381 and is venerated as a saint in several Christian churches.
Key Facts
- ›Served as Patriarch of Antioch from 360 to 381.
- ›His tenure was dominated by the Meletian schism, leading to multiple exiles (361–362, 365–366, 371–378).
- ›Held a theological position that was not consistently Nicene or Arian, leading to opposition from various groups.
- ›Presided over the First Council of Constantinople in 381.
- ›Venerated as a saint and confessor in Roman Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox churches.
- ›His feast day is February 12th.
- Presided Over the First Council of Constantinople .
- Presided Over the Great Synod of Antioch Where Dogmatic Agreement Between East and West Was Established.
- Helped Gregory of Nazianzus To the See of Constantinople.
About Meletius of Antioch
Meletius of Antioch (Greek: Μελέτιος, Meletios) was a significant Christian leader who served as the Patriarch of Antioch from 360 until his death in 381. His tenure was largely defined by the complex and enduring Meletian schism, a dispute that divided the Antiochene Church for decades.
Life and historical context
Born in Melitene, Lesser Armenia, to wealthy and noble parents, Meletius initially aligned himself with the Acacian (Homoean) faction, which supported a formula stating the Son is like the Father without reference to essence or substance. He became bishop of Sebaste but resigned due to opposition from Homoousian clergy. His appointment as Patriarch of Antioch in 360 was followed by his first exile early in 361, with traditional accounts attributing this to a sermon revealing Homoousian views, though other scholarly interpretations suggest conflicts with clergy.
Meletius faced opposition from Paulinus II of Antioch, who was elected as a rival patriarch by the Eustathians. The Meletian schism itself involved differing views on the Trinity: the Meletians maintained three hypostases, while the older pro-Nicene Eustathians preferred the language of a single hypostasis and described the Trinity as three prosōpa. This distinction caused theological debate, with figures like Basil of Caesarea emphasizing the need for true hypostases alongside prosōpa.
Meletius endured further exiles in 365–366 and 371–378 under the Arian emperor Valens. However, after Valens' death, the emperors Gratian and Theodosius I favored Meletius, who had been increasingly aligning with the Nicene Creed. Upon his return to Antioch, he was hailed as a leader of orthodoxy.
Major contributions
Meletius presided over a great synod in Antioch in October 379, which established dogmatic agreement between the East and West. He also played a crucial role in supporting Gregory of Nazianzus in his claim to the see of Constantinople and notably presided over the First Council of Constantinople in 381, the Second Ecumenical Council.
Legacy
Meletius is venerated as a saint and confessor in the Roman Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox churches, with his feast day observed on February 12th. Despite his death shortly after the opening of the First Council of Constantinople, the Meletian schism persisted, with his successor, Flavian, eventually reconciling with the sees of Alexandria and Rome, though it took until 415 for the Eustathians at Antioch to accept him.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Meletius of Antioch?
Meletius of Antioch was a Christian patriarch of Antioch who served from 360 until his death in 381. His time as bishop was marked by significant theological disputes and schisms within the church.
What was the Meletian schism?
The Meletian schism was a dispute in Antioch between two pro-Nicene groups: the Meletians, who believed in three hypostases, and the Eustathians, who preferred the language of a single hypostasis. Meletius was a central figure in this division.
Why was Meletius exiled multiple times?
Meletius was exiled from Antioch in 361–362, 365–366, and 371–378. These exiles occurred under Arian emperors, though his theological position itself was complex and drew opposition from various factions.
What was Meletius' theological position?
Meletius' theological position is described as contrasting. He was exiled under Arian emperors but also strongly opposed by those faithful to the staunchly pro-Nicene Eustathius of Antioch and Saint Athanasius of Alexandria. His own formula was considered indefinite.
What role did Meletius play in the First Council of Constantinople?
One of Meletius' last acts was to preside over the First Council of Constantinople in 381. This council is considered the Second Ecumenical Council.
Related Archbishops
Flavian I
Flavian I of Antioch was a Patriarch of Antioch from 381 until his death in 404. He was a significant figure in the orthodox Christian movement, supporting the Faith against Arianism and working to heal the schism within the Church of Antioch. Flavian is posthumously venerated as a Saint in both Western and Eastern churches.
Flavian II
Flavian II of Antioch was the Patriarch of Antioch from 498 to 512, appointed by Emperor Anastasius I. Despite initially accepting the Henotikon, he resisted attempts to abolish the Council of Chalcedon, attempting to steer a middle course. His deposition and banishment in 512 led to significant unrest and later his posthumous recognition as a saint.
Evodius
Evodius is identified in some early Christian writings as the first bishop of Antioch, with some traditions suggesting he succeeded Peter. He is considered one of the first identifiable post-apostolic Christians and is venerated as a saint. Little is known about his life, but his episcopacy is often dated to around 45 AD, concluding in 66 AD with his succession by Ignatius of Antioch.