Bishop Achillas the Great | |
|---|---|
| Patriarch of Alexandria | |
| Installed | 24 December 312 |
| Term ended | June 313 |
| Predecessor | Peter "Seal of the Martyrs" |
| Successor | Alexander |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | June 313 Egypt |
| Buried | Church of the Cave, Alexandria |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Denomination | Church of Alexandria |
| Alma mater | Catechetical School of Alexandria |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 19 Paoni (Coptic Christianity) |
| Venerated in | Oriental Orthodox Churches Catholic Church Eastern Orthodoxy |
Achillas was the 18th Patriarch of Alexandria, reigning from 312 to 313.
He was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and was renowned for his knowledge and piety; this was why Pope Theonas had ordained him priest and appointed him head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria upon the departure of Pierius. He was apparently very highly thought of for his work in Greek philosophy and theological science, as Pope Athanasius later described him by the honorific "Achillas the Great".[1]
As recommended by Pope Peter, he was enthroned patriarch in December (Kiahk) 312 AD, after the martyrdom of Peter during the Diocletianic Persecution.[2] He yielded to the request of Arius, who had been condemned by Peter, to return to his former position as priest and preacher.
Achillas died six months later on the 19 Paoni 313.
After his death, Arius nominated himself to become Bishop of Alexandria, but the clergy and the people chose Alexander instead.[1]