School of Alexandriawriter
Who he was
- There is no mention of his writings. The following details are biographical only:
- When St. Demetrius discovered his spiritual abilities and knowledge, he ordained him as a priest and used him for preaching. He attracted many unbelievers to the faith.
- He was a student of Origen and succeeded him as the
dean of the School of Alexandria when Origen retired from Alexandria to Caesarea.
- Heraclas retained the School for a short time because on the death of Pope Demetrius he was elected to the patriarchal throne.
What he wrote
- Pope Heraclas did not adopt any of his teacher’s peculiar views, but voted for his deprivation both from his office as teacher and from his orders, and for his excommunication at the two synods held by Pope Demetrius.
- And when elected pope he maintained the measures against Origen until, according Photius, he forced him to leave Thmuis, where Origen had taken refuge. Julius Africanus in
his Chronology attests Pope Heraclas’ great reputation as an intellectual.
- He loved philosophy and studied the Greek books as much as he could.
- His people loved him so much and called him “Papa” in Coptic,or Pope,which means “Father.”