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Severus of Antioch

c. 465 – 538 · b. Sozopolis · Bishop of Antioch
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Patriarch of Antioch (512-518) and the most important systematic theologian of miaphysite (non-Chalcedonian) Christianity. Deposed under Justin I; lived in exile in Egypt. Considered heterodox by Chalcedonians but a saint in Oriental Orthodox churches.

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Common questions

Who was Severus of Antioch?
Severus of Antioch (465–538) — Patriarch of Antioch (512-518) and the most important systematic theologian of miaphysite (non-Chalcedonian) Christianity. Deposed under Justin I; lived in exile in Egypt. Considered heterodox by Chalcedonians but a saint in Oriental Orthodox churches.
Who did Severus of Antioch correspond with?
Jacob of Serugh.
Who did Severus of Antioch oppose?
Leontius of Byzantium, Anastasius of Sinai, and Pope Leo I.

Sources for biography

  • Severus of Antioch, Liber contra impium Grammaticum primary
  • Severus of Antioch, Cathedral Homilies primary
  • Zachariah Rhetor, Vita Severi primary
  • Severus of Antioch, Select Letters (ed. E. W. Brooks) primary
  • ODCC s.v. Severus secondary

documented connections(4)

  • opposed Leontius of Byzantium
    Severus' miaphysite Christology was the principal target of Chalcedonian neo-Chalcedonian theologians like Leontius.
    Leontius of Byzantium, Contra Nestorianos et Eutychianos · Severus, Liber contra impium Grammaticum
  • cited Cyril of Alexandria
    Severus appealed to Cyril's mia physis formula as the basis of his Christology.
    Severus, Liber contra impium Grammaticum
  • opposed (incoming) Anastasius of Sinai
    Anastasius' Hodegos is a sustained refutation of Severan miaphysite Christology.
    Anastasius of Sinai, Viae Dux
  • opposed Pope Leo I
    Severus rejected the Tome of Leo and the Christological definition of Chalcedon (451), polemicising against Leo's two-natures formula across his letters and treatises (e.g. Contra impium Grammaticum, Philalethes).
    Severus of Antioch, Liber contra impium Grammaticum · Severus of Antioch, Philalethes · ODCC s.v. Severus

tradition connections(1)

  • corresponded (incoming) Jacob of Serugh
    A small corpus of letters attributed to Jacob includes correspondence with Severus's miaphysite circle; the authenticity of individual letters is debated but the broader correspondence is generally accepted.
    Jacob of Serugh, Letters (ed. Olinder) · ODCC s.v. James of Sarug

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