The bishop or
Patriarch of Alexandria (
EgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Western Asia...
) is the highest-ranking bishop of Egypt and exists separately in both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the
Byzantine Orthodox ChurchThe Orthodox Church, also officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to in English speaking countries as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the world's second largest Christian communion, estimated to number 225 million members...
. The Patriarchs trace back their lineage to
Mark the EvangelistMark the Evangelist , is the traditional name of the author of the Gospel of Mark. Tradition identifies him with the John Mark mentioned as a companion of Saint Paul in Acts, who later is said to have become a disciple of Saint Peter. John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on Paul's first...
.
This list contains those Patriarchs who served before 536, when the Coptic Orthodox and the
Greek (Melchite)The Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, also known as the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa is one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Churches....
lineages permanently parted ways. This
schismThe word schism , from the Greek σχίσμα, skhísma , means a split or a division, usually in an organization or a movement. A schismatic is a person who creates or incites schism in an organization or who is a member of a splinter group...
first began in 451, after the
Council of ChalcedonThe Council of Chalcedon is considered by the Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, the Old Catholics, and various other Western Christian groups to have been the Fourth Ecumenical Council . It was held from 8 October to 1 November 451 at Chalcedon...
, but for the next decades both parties still competed on the See of Alexandria and frequently still recognized the same Patriarch.
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The bishop or
Patriarch of Alexandria (
EgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Western Asia...
) is the highest-ranking bishop of Egypt and exists separately in both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the
Byzantine Orthodox ChurchThe Orthodox Church, also officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to in English speaking countries as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the world's second largest Christian communion, estimated to number 225 million members...
. The Patriarchs trace back their lineage to
Mark the EvangelistMark the Evangelist , is the traditional name of the author of the Gospel of Mark. Tradition identifies him with the John Mark mentioned as a companion of Saint Paul in Acts, who later is said to have become a disciple of Saint Peter. John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on Paul's first...
.
This list contains those Patriarchs who served before 536, when the Coptic Orthodox and the
Greek (Melchite)The Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, also known as the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa is one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Churches....
lineages permanently parted ways. This
schismThe word schism , from the Greek σχίσμα, skhísma , means a split or a division, usually in an organization or a movement. A schismatic is a person who creates or incites schism in an organization or who is a member of a splinter group...
first began in 451, after the
Council of ChalcedonThe Council of Chalcedon is considered by the Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, the Old Catholics, and various other Western Christian groups to have been the Fourth Ecumenical Council . It was held from 8 October to 1 November 451 at Chalcedon...
, but for the next decades both parties still competed on the See of Alexandria and frequently still recognized the same Patriarch. For later Popes and Patriarchs, follow the links at the bottom of this page.
List of Patriarchs (prior to 536)
- Mark the Evangelist
Mark the Evangelist , is the traditional name of the author of the Gospel of Mark. Tradition identifies him with the John Mark mentioned as a companion of Saint Paul in Acts, who later is said to have become a disciple of Saint Peter. John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on Paul's first...
(43-68)
- Anianus (68-82)
- Avilius (83-95)
- Kedron (96-106)
- Primus (106-118)
- Justus (118-129)
- Eumenes (131-141)
- Markianos (142-152)
- Celadion (152-166)
- Agrippinus (167-178)
- Julian (178-189)
- Demetrius I (189-232)
- Heraclas (232-248)
- Dionysius (248-264)
- Maximus (265-282)
- Theonas (282-300)
- Peter I
Pope Peter of Alexandria was Pope of Alexandria . He is revered as a saint by the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church.-Life:...
(300-311)
- Achillas (312-313)
- Alexander I (313-326) First ecumenical Council occurred
- Athanasius I (328-339) Served as a Deacon for the First Council; became Pope of Alexandria
- Gregory of Cappadocia
Gregory of Cappadocia served as Patriarch of Alexandria between 339 and 346. Arian, he was enthroned during one of the exiles of Athanasius I from Alexandria...
(339-346), an Arian installed by the Emperor and not recognized by the adherents of the Nicene creed (and thus not counted by Coptic Orthodox, Byzantine OrthodoxThe Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, also known as the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa is one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Churches....
and CatholicThe word Catholic is derived from the Greek adjective , meaning "universal". In the context of Christian ecclesiology, it has a rich history and several usages. For some, the term "Catholic Church" refers to the church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, made up of the Latin Rite and the 22...
lineages).
- Athanasius I (restored) (346-373)
- Peter II (373-380)
- Timothy I (380-385) Second Ecumenical Council
The First Council of Constantinople is recognised as the Second Ecumenical Council by the Assyrian Church of the East, the Oriental Orthodox, the Eastern Orthodox, the Roman Catholics, the Old Catholics, and a number of other Western Christian groups...
occurred
- Theophilus I (385-412)
- Cyril I
Saint Cyril of Alexandria was the Pope of Alexandria when the city was at its height of influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the later 4th, and 5th centuries...
(412-444) Third Ecumenical Council occurred
- Dioscorus I (444-451), Fourth Ecumenical Council
The Second Council of Ephesus was a church synod in 449 AD. It was convoked by Emperor Theodosius II as an Ecumenical council but because of the controversial proceedings it was not accepted as Ecumenical, labelled a Robber Synod and later repudiated at the Council of Chalcedon.-The first...
occurred. Pope Dioscorus was later deposed by the Council of ChalcedonThe Council of Chalcedon is considered by the Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, the Old Catholics, and various other Western Christian groups to have been the Fourth Ecumenical Council . It was held from 8 October to 1 November 451 at Chalcedon...
but still recognized by MiaphysitesMiaphysitism is the Christology of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and part of the Christology of the various churches adhering to the "Seven Ecumenical Councils"...
until his death in 454.
- Proterius
Hieromartyr Proterius of Alexandria , Patriarch of Alexandria , was elected by the Fourth Œcumenical Synod in 451 to replace Dioscorus of Alexandria, who had been deposed by the same council...
(451-457) Deposed by CoptA Copt is a native Egyptian Christian...
ic (Alexandrian) Synod under Pope Timothy II Aelurus, Chalcedonian
- Timothy II Aelurus
Pope Timothy II of Alexandria , also known as Αίλυρος/Aelurus , was Coptic Pope and twice succeeded in supplanting the Chalcedonian Patriarch of Alexandria....
(457-460]), Miaphysite
- Timothy III Salophakiolos
Patriarch Timothy III of Alexandria , also known as Salophakiolos was Patriarch of Alexandria from 460 until his death...
(460-475), Chalcedonian
- Timothy II Aelurus (restored)
Pope Timothy II of Alexandria , also known as Αίλυρος/Aelurus , was Coptic Pope and twice succeeded in supplanting the Chalcedonian Patriarch of Alexandria....
(475-477), Miaphysite
- Peter III Mongus
Pope Peter III of Alexandria , also known as Mongus , was Coptic Pope from 477 until his death and after 482 also recognized as Patriarch of Alexandria by the Eastern Orthodox Church.-Biography:...
(477), Miaphysite
- Timothy III Salophakiolos (restored)
Patriarch Timothy III of Alexandria , also known as Salophakiolos was Patriarch of Alexandria from 460 until his death...
(477-481), Chalcedonian
- John I Talaia, (481-482), Chalcedonian
- Peter III Mongus (restored)
Pope Peter III of Alexandria , also known as Mongus , was Coptic Pope from 477 until his death and after 482 also recognized as Patriarch of Alexandria by the Eastern Orthodox Church.-Biography:...
(482-490), Miaphysite
- Athanasius II
Athanasius II of Alexandria was the Coptic Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria from 490 until his death. He was a Miaphysite.He succeeded Peter III Mongus as Pope of Alexandria and reigned for seven years...
(490-496), Miaphysite
- John I (496-505), Miaphysite
- John II (505-516), Miaphysite
- Dioscorus II
Pope Dioscorus II of Alexandria was the Coptic Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria from 516 until his death. He was a Miaphysite.-External links:* |-|-...
(516-517), Miaphysite
- Timothy III (517-535), Miaphysite
- Theodosius I (535-536), Miaphysite
- Gainas (535), in opposition to Theodosius
In 536 the
Greek Orthodox Church of AlexandriaThe Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, also known as the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa is one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Churches....
withdrew their recognition of Theodosius I and elected
PaulPatriarch Paul of Alexandria was Greek Patriarch of Alexandria between 536 and 540.He was elected Patriarch in 536 when the Greek Church of Alexandria, which had previously recognized the Miaphysite Theodosius, disbanded with this recognition and elected Paul in his place...
as Patriarch, while the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria continued to regonize Theodosius. For later succession of (Coptic) Popes and (Greek) Patriarchs, see:
- List of Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria.
- List of Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Alexandria.
External links
See also
- 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...
- Coptic Orthodox Pope
- Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria