Serapion of Antioch

Saint Serapion
Serapion of Antioch in the Església de Sant Antoni Abat (València)
Patriarch of Antioch
Died	211
Venerated in	Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodoxy
Canonized	Pre-congregation
Feast	30 October

Serapion was a Patriarch of Antioch (Greek: Σεραπίων; 191–211). He is known primarily through his theological writings, although all but a few fragments of his works have perished.^[1] His feast day is celebrated on October 30.^[2]

Serapion was considered one of the chief theologians of his era. Eusebius refers to three works of Serapion in his history, but admits that others probably existed: first is a private letter addressed to Caricus and Pontius against Montanism, from which Eusebius quotes an extract (Historia ecclesiastica V, 19), as well as ascriptions showing that it was circulated amongst bishops in Asia and Thrace; next is a work addressed to a certain Domninus, who in time of persecution abandoned Christianity for the error of "Jewish will-worship" (Hist. Eccles, VI, 12).^[2]

Lastly, Eusebius quotes (vi.12.2) from a pamphlet Serapion wrote concerning the Docetic Gospel of Peter, in which Serapion presents an argument to the Christian community of Rhossus in Syria against this gospel and condemns it.^[2] He recalls the permission to read this apocryphal work given in ignorance of its true character and expresses his intention of visiting the church to strengthen them in the true faith.^[3]

Eusebius also alludes to a number of personal letters Serapion wrote to Pontius, Caricus, and others about this Gospel of Peter.

Serapion also acted (Pantaenus supported him) against the influence of Gnosticism in Osroene by consecrating Palut as bishop of Edessa, where Palut addressed the increasingly Gnostic tendencies that the churchman Bardesanes was introducing to its Christian community. He ordained Pantaenus as a Priest or Bishop in Edessa.

Serapion was succeeded as bishop of Antioch by Asclepiades (Eusebius Historia ecclesiastica VI, 11, 4).