Orthodox Forge

The Fathers

Aëtius of Antioch

ca. 300-370

Who he was

  • Antioch became a center of Arianism after Eustathius had been exiled. Among the literary defenders of the heresy was Aëtius, a native of the city. He was the leader of the Anomoean party within Arianism.
  • He was ordained a deacon by Leontius, the Arian bishop of Antioch (344-or 345).
  • He was condemned and exiled by councils at Ancyra (358) and Constantinople (360)
  • Recalled by Julian, he was consecrated bishop in 362, but without a specific see.
  • Eunomius of Cyzicus was his disciple and secretary.
  • He died a few years after 365 and was buried in Constantinople.

What he wrote

  • He was little acquainted with the Holy Bible, and had never carefully studied the writings of the ancient fathers. 1. Syntagmation: Of his works, only this short treatise is entirely preserved by St. Epiphanius. It defends in 47 theses the watch-word of the Arians anomoios. 2. St. Epiphanius adds that he wrote 300 theses 3. Epistles to the Emperor Constantius and others. 4. Letters.

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