Severus of Antioch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Severus the Great
Patriarch of Antioch and all of the East
Church	Syriac Orthodox Church
Enthroned	16 November 512
Reign ended	5 February 538
Predecessor	Flavian II of Antioch
Successor	Sergius of Tella
Personal details
Born	c. 459/465 Sozopolis, Eastern Roman Empire (modern-day Uluborlu, Isparta, Turkey)
Died	5 February 538 Xois, Eastern Roman Empire (modern-day Sakha, Egypt)
Buried	Zogag Monastery
Nationality	Roman
Denomination	Oriental Orthodoxy
Sainthood
Feast day	8 February (Coptic Church), 29 September (Syriac Orthodox)
Venerated in	Oriental Orthodox Churches

Severus the Great of Antioch was an important leader of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He was the Patriarch of Antioch from 512 until he passed away in 538. People also knew him as Severus of Gaza or the Crown of Syrians.

He is considered a saint in the Oriental Orthodox Church. His special day is celebrated on 8 February.

Severus' Life Story

Early Years and Learning

Severus was born around 459 or 465 in a city called Sozopolis. His family was wealthy and Christian. His father was a senator, a kind of government official. His grandfather, also named Severus, was a bishop.

When his father died in 485, Severus went to Alexandria in Egypt. There, he studied grammar, public speaking, and philosophy. He learned both Greek and Latin. In Alexandria, he met Zacharias of Mytilene, who became his friend. Zacharias encouraged him to read important Christian writings.

In 486, Severus moved to Berytus (modern-day Beirut). He studied law and philosophy at a famous law school. He and Zacharias worked to remove people who practiced magic from the city. Severus started spending his free time studying the works of early Christian leaders.

He joined a group of students who prayed together every evening. Severus decided to be baptized in 488. This was a big step for him.

Becoming a Monk

After his baptism, Severus chose a simple, religious life. He stopped bathing often and started fasting. He first planned to become a lawyer. However, after visiting several holy places, he decided to become a monk.

Severus joined a monastery near Maiuma in Palestine. This area was a center for Christians who did not agree with the Council of Chalcedon. He stayed there for several years. Later, he moved to another monastery in the desert.

Around 500, Severus became ill. He recovered at the Monastery of Saint Romanus. There, he became a priest. He used his family inheritance to help the poor and build a monastery.

A hermit once saw Severus and called him "teacher of Orthodoxy, and Patriarch of Antioch." This was a prophecy about Severus's future. He stayed at his monastery until 507 or 508.

At this time, a monk named Nephalius argued against Severus's beliefs. Severus wrote two books to answer Nephalius. In 508, Severus went to Constantinople to speak to Emperor Anastasius.

Severus traveled with 200 other monks. He quickly gained the emperor's favor. Severus wrote a book called Philalethes. This book showed that some arguments against his beliefs were based on quotes taken out of context.

Because of Severus's influence, Emperor Anastasius allowed his followers to return to their monasteries in 510. The emperor also issued a new law supporting Severus's views. After a new patriarch, Timothy I, was chosen in Constantinople, Severus returned to his monastery.

Leading the Church in Antioch

In 512, the Patriarch of Antioch, Flavian II, was removed from his position. Severus was chosen to replace him on November 6. He became the Patriarch of Antioch on November 16. Many bishops attended his ceremony.

During the ceremony, Severus confirmed his belief in earlier church councils. He also spoke against the Council of Chalcedon. This council was a major point of disagreement in the church.

After becoming patriarch, Severus made changes to his palace. He removed the fancy baths and cooks. This showed his simple lifestyle. Other church leaders accepted Severus as Patriarch. However, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Elias, and some bishops did not.

In Syria, Severus was popular in some areas. But in other parts, people were against him. A meeting was held in Tyre around 514. At this meeting, the Council of Chalcedon was again rejected.

Exile and Passing Away

Emperor Anastasius died in 518, and Justin I became emperor. Bishops who opposed Severus asked Justin to remove him. Justin demanded that Severus accept the Council of Chalcedon. Severus refused.

Emperor Justin ordered Severus's arrest. However, Theodora, who was the wife of Justin's nephew, warned Severus. On September 25, 518, Severus escaped from Antioch by boat. He went to Alexandria in Egypt.

In Alexandria, Severus was welcomed by Pope Timothy III and the people. Even though he was removed from his position, many still saw him as the true Patriarch of Antioch. The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates his arrival in Egypt every year.

During his time in Egypt, Severus lived at the Ennaton monastery. He was said to have performed miracles there. He also finished a three-volume book.

Another bishop, Julian of Halicarnassus, also lived at the monastery. They debated about the nature of Christ's body. Severus believed Christ's body could change until the resurrection. Julian believed it could not. This led to disagreements among their followers.

Emperor Justinian, who became emperor in 527, tried to unite the church. He invited Severus to Constantinople for a meeting. Severus chose not to go because of his age.

Later, in 534, Severus did travel to Constantinople. He convinced the new Patriarch of Constantinople, Anthimus, to agree with his views.

However, things changed quickly. In 536, Pope Agapetus I of Rome came to Constantinople. He convinced Emperor Justinian to support the Council of Chalcedon. Anthimus was replaced by Menas.

A church meeting was held in Constantinople from May to June 536. Severus and his allies were removed from the church. On August 6, 536, Emperor Justinian banned Severus's books. He also ordered Severus and his allies to leave the capital and other major cities.

Empress Theodora helped Severus escape. He returned to Egypt. Severus lived in the city of Sakha until he passed away on February 5, 538. His body was moved to the Zogag Monastery. This event is celebrated on December 19.

Severus and Manichaeism

Severus of Antioch wrote a famous sermon against Manichaeism. This was a different religious belief system. His original Greek sermon is lost, but a Syriac translation still exists.

In his writing, Severus mentioned a book by Mani, the founder of Manichaeism. Severus disagreed with the Manichaean idea of two equal forces: good and evil, light and darkness.

Even though he opposed them, Severus's writings are important. They give us valuable information about Manichaean beliefs. This is because many of the original Manichaean texts he quoted are now lost.