Avilius of Alexandria
Encyclopedia
Pope Avilius of Alexandria (Abilius in the West), also known as Sabellius, Milius or Melyos served as the third Patriarch of Alexandria
(head of the church that became the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Greek Church of Alexandria) between 83 and 95.
He was enthroned during the reign of the Roman Emperor
Titus Flavius Domitianus.
In the Church History
of Eusebius of Caesarea
, it is recorded that, upon the death of Anianus of Alexandria
, all the suffragan bishop
s and priests of his area converged in Alexandria where they conferred with the laity about the next appointment to the position. Having cast lots, they unanimously voted for Avilius to succeed him, based on Avilius' reputation for chastity and his knowledge of Christ. He remained in that position for nineteen years and eight months, and was buried next to the remains of Mark the Evangelist
in the Church of Bucalis in Alexandria.
The Apostolic Constitutions
(viii.4) states that he (Avilius) was the second bishop of Alexandria and was ordained by Luke the Evangelist
.
. His feast day in the Roman Catholic Church
is 22 February, the Canons Regular
keep his feast on 23 February, the Coptic Church on 29 August and 29 March, and the Greek Orthodox Church
on 22 February.
Patriarch of Alexandria
The Patriarch of Alexandria is the Archbishop of Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Historically, this office has included the designation of Pope , and did so earlier than that of the Bishop of Rome...
(head of the church that became the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Greek Church of Alexandria) between 83 and 95.
He was enthroned during the reign of the Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Titus Flavius Domitianus.
In the Church History
of Eusebius of Caesarea
Eusebius of Caesarea
Eusebius of Caesarea also called Eusebius Pamphili, was a Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist. He became the Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine about the year 314. Together with Pamphilus, he was a scholar of the Biblical canon...
, it is recorded that, upon the death of Anianus of Alexandria
Anianus of Alexandria
Anianus of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 68 to 82, a position which preceded the Popes of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He was ordained as the successor of Saint Mark the Evangelist, and was also the first convert Mark won to Christianity in the region.-Saint Mark:As Mark was...
, all the suffragan bishop
Suffragan bishop
A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:...
s and priests of his area converged in Alexandria where they conferred with the laity about the next appointment to the position. Having cast lots, they unanimously voted for Avilius to succeed him, based on Avilius' reputation for chastity and his knowledge of Christ. He remained in that position for nineteen years and eight months, and was buried next to the remains of Mark the Evangelist
Mark the Evangelist
Mark the Evangelist is the traditional author of the Gospel of Mark. He is one of the Seventy Disciples of Christ, and the founder of the Church of Alexandria, one of the original four main sees of Christianity....
in the Church of Bucalis in Alexandria.
The Apostolic Constitutions
Apostolic Constitutions
The Apostolic Constitutions is a Christian collection of eight treatises which belongs to genre of the Church Orders. The work can be dated from 375 to 380 AD. The provenience is usually regarded as Syria, probably Antioch...
(viii.4) states that he (Avilius) was the second bishop of Alexandria and was ordained by Luke the Evangelist
Luke the Evangelist
Luke the Evangelist was an Early Christian writer whom Church Fathers such as Jerome and Eusebius said was the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles...
.
Veneration
He is venerated as a saintSaint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
. His feast day in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
is 22 February, the Canons Regular
Canons Regular
Canons Regular are members of certain bodies of Canons living in community under the Augustinian Rule , and sharing their property in common...
keep his feast on 23 February, the Coptic Church on 29 August and 29 March, and the Greek Orthodox Church
Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church is the body of several churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity sharing a common cultural tradition whose liturgy is also traditionally conducted in Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament...
on 22 February.