Saint Meletius (Greek: Μελέτιος, Meletios) was a Christian bishop of Antioch from 360 until his death in 381. However, his episcopate was dominated by a schism, usually called the Meletian schism.
- During the reigns of the Homoian (Homoean) emperors Constantius and Valens, he was exiled in 361–362, 365–366 and 371–378, implying his opposition to Homoianism.
- Meletius was also strongly opposed by a rival pro-Nicene bishop named Paulinus who was faithful to the memory of Eustathius of Antioch. "The fragments of Eustathius that survive present a doctrine that is close to Marcellus. ... Eustathius insists there is only one hypostasis."[1] While Athanasius of Alexandria and bishop Damasus of Rome opposed Meletius and supported Paulinus, Basil of Caesarea supported Meletius.[2]
One of Meletius' last acts was to preside over the First Council of Constantinople in 381. He died during that council.
Meletius' asceticism was remarkable in view of his great private wealth. He is venerated as a saint and confessor in the Roman Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches.[3] His feast day is 12 February.[4]
- ^ Ayres, Lewis (2004). Nicaea and its Legacy, An Approach to Fourth-Century Trinitarian Theology.
- ^ “Paulinus was a rival of Basil's friend and ally Meletius.” (Hanson, p. 801) “Basil would not desert Meletius and Athanasius would not recognize him (Meletius) as bishop of Antioch.” (Hanson, p. 797)
- ^ One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Meletius of Antioch". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 93–94.
- ^ Cross, F. L.; Livingstone, E. A., eds. (2009) [2005]. "Melitius, St". The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd rev. ed.). Oxford University Press.
