Victor of Antioch
Greek·Male·5th century·Antioch
Victor of Antioch was an early Christian presbyter and biblical commentator active in the 5th century. He is known for writing the "Catena in Marcum," a Greek catena on the Gospel of Mark, which defended contemporary Church views on fasting and Christian liberty. Though not the earliest commentary on Mark, his work contains original material and provides insights into early Christian exegesis.
Key Facts
- ›Active as a presbyter and biblical commentator in the 5th century.
- ›Wrote the "Catena in Marcum," a commentary on the Gospel of Mark.
- ›His "Catena in Marcum" defended contemporary Church views on fasting and liberty of action.
- ›Opinions attributed to Victor on the Gospel of Luke suggest he also wrote a commentary on Luke, now lost.
- ›Considered a contemporary of John Chrysostom.
- ›His work is noted for containing original material, particularly in comparisons between Gospels.
Catena In Marcum
- Defense of Contemporary Church Views On Fasting
- Defense of Christian Liberty of Action
Presbyter
5th Century
Antioch
About Victor of Antioch
Victor of Antioch was an early Christian presbyter and biblical commentator who was active in the 5th century, flourishing between 407 and 444 AD. He is recognized as a contemporary of the prominent Church Father John Chrysostom.
Key Works and Contributions
Victor is primarily known for his work titled "Catena in Marcum," a Greek catena, or chain of commentary, on the Gospel of Mark. In this work, he aimed to defend the views held by the Church at his time, specifically addressing practices related to fasting and asserting the belief in Christians' complete liberty of action. While the 7th-century commentary by Pseudo-Jerome is considered a more original work on Mark, Victor's "Catena in Marcum" is significant for containing some original material, particularly in its comparisons between the different Gospels.
Other Writings and Influence
Evidence from later commentaries on the Gospel of Luke suggests that Victor may have also written a commentary on Luke. Although this commentary is now lost, scattered quotations within other works indicate its existence and Victor's engagement with that Gospel.
Victor wrote in Greek and was active in the region of Antioch. His contributions provide valuable insights into the theological discussions and exegetical methods of the early Church.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Victor of Antioch?
Victor of Antioch was an early Christian presbyter and biblical commentator who was active in the 5th century. He is known for his theological writings and commentaries on the Gospels.
What is Victor of Antioch famous for?
He is most famous for writing the "Catena in Marcum," a Greek commentary on the Gospel of Mark. This work defended contemporary Church views on fasting and Christian liberty of action.
What is the significance of the "Catena in Marcum"?
The "Catena in Marcum" is an important early commentary on the Gospel of Mark. While not the earliest known, it contains original material and offers insights into early Christian interpretation and defense of Church practices and beliefs.
Did Victor of Antioch write about other Gospels?
Yes, quotations in catenae on the Gospel of Luke indicate that Victor also wrote a commentary on Luke. However, this work is lost except for these citations.
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Theodoret of Cyrus
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