Pope Achillas of Alexandria

Bishop

Achillas the Great
Patriarch of Alexandria
Installed24 December 312
Term endedJune 313
PredecessorPeter "Seal of the Martyrs"
SuccessorAlexander
Personal details
Born
DiedJune 313
Egypt
BuriedChurch of the Cave, Alexandria
NationalityEgyptian
DenominationChurch of Alexandria
Alma materCatechetical School of Alexandria
Sainthood
Feast day19 Paoni (Coptic Christianity)
Venerated inOriental 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]

  1. ^ a b Atiya, Aziz S. The Coptic Encyclopedia. New York:Macmillan Publishing Company, 1991. ISBN 0-02-897025-X.
  2. ^ Monks of Ramsgate. “Achillas”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 30 April 2012