Lucian of Antioch
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Lucian of Antioch (c. 240 — January 7, 312[1]) was an early and extremely influential theologian and teacher of Christianity, particularly for the Eastern Orthodox. He was noted for both his scholarship and ascetic piety.
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[edit] History
The tradition preserved by the Suidas, that Lucian was born at Samosata, Kommagene, Syria (now Samsat, Turkey), to Christian parents, and was educated in the neighbouring city of Edessa, Mesopotamia at the school of Macarius is not corroborated by any other author; the Catholic Encyclopedia suggests that the Suidas most likely confounded the history of Lucian with that of his famous namesake, Lucian of Samosata, the pagan satirist of the second century.
At Antioch Lucian was ordained presbyter, and soon attained a commanding position as head of the theological school in that city. Though he did not share the theological views of Paul of Samosata, he fell under suspicion at the time of Paul's condemnation for heresy, and was expelled from the Church at Antioch.
This breach with the orthodox party lasted during the episcopates of three bishops, Domnus, Timaeus and Cyril, whose administration extended from 268 to 303. It seems more likely that Lucian was reconciled with the Church early in the episcopate of Cyril (perhaps about 285) than in that of his successor, because bishops in the Orient received his pupils.
[edit] Theology
Few men have left such a deep imprint on the history of Christianity. The opposition to the allegorizing tendencies of the Alexandrines centred in him. He rejected this system entirely and propounded a system of literal interpretation which dominated the Eastern Church for a long period. In the minds of nearly all theological writers, based on an encyclical of 321 promulgated by Alexander of Alexandria, that associates Lucian with Paul of Samosata, (Schaff) he is said to be the real author of the opinions which manifested themselves in Arianism, in denying the eternity of the Logos and the human soul of Christ. A notable exception to this view was expressed by Henry Melvill Gwatkin, in his Studies of Arianism, London, 1900. "The contradictory reports are easily reconciled by the assumption that Lucian was a critical scholar with some peculiar views on the Trinity and Christology which were not in harmony with the later Nicene orthodoxy, but that he wiped out all stains by his heroic confession and martyrdom," wrote Philip Schaff in his History of the Christian Church.
In his Christological system, Christ, though himself the creator of all subsequent beings was a creature, and though superior to all other created things, was separated from God by the wide gulf between Creator and creature. The great leaders in the Arian movement (Arius himself, Eusebius of Nicomedia, Maris, and Theognis) received their training under him and always venerated him as their master and the founder of their system.
During the persecution of Maximinus, Lucian was arrested at Antioch and sent to Nicomedia, where he endured many tortures. After delivering a long oration in defence of his faith, he was put to death, traditionally on January 7, 312, in Nicomedia, Bithynia (now Izmit, Turkey) and was buried at Drepanum on the Gulf of Nicomedia, which was later renamed Helenopolis to honour the mother of Constantine.
Despite, or perhaps because of his heterodoxy, Lucian was a man of the most unexceptionable virtue: Eusebius of Caesarea, (H.E., VIII, xiii, 2) notes his martyrdom but does not remark on his theology. Later, at the height of the Arian controversy, his fame for sanctity was not less than his reputation as a scholar.
[edit] Legacy
The most enduring memorial of the life of Lucian, next to the Christological controversy which his teachings aroused, was his influence on Biblical study. Receiving the literal sense alone, he laid stress on the need of textual accuracy and undertook to revise the Septuagint based on the original Hebrew. His edition was at the basis of the Syrian recension used by Chrysostom and the later Greek fathers and known to Jerome (De Viris Illustribus III. I, xxvii Praef. ad Paralip.; Adversus Rufium xxvi, Epistle, 106). He also published a rescension of the New Testament. Jerome (De Vir. Ill., 77), in addition to Lucian's recension of the Bible, speaks of Libelli de Fide, none of which are extant.
He is also credited with the composition of a strictly trinitarian Creed, presented after his death to the Council of Antioch in 341 (Athanasius of Alexandria, Epistle de Synod. Arim. et Seleuc. xxiii)[2] Rufinus (Historia Eccles., IX, vi) has preserved a translation of his apologetic oration. There are epistles mentioned by the Suidas; a fragment of one announces the death of Anthimus, a bishop (Chronicon Paschale in Patriologia Graeca XCII, 689).[3]
[edit] Notes
- ^ January 7 was the calendar day on which his memory was celebrated at Antioch.
- ^ The Catholic Encyclopedia found his authorship doubtful; "it is certain he did not compose it in its present form."
- ^ "Works of his, On faith, and short Epistles to various people are extant." (Schaff and Wace)
[edit] References
- Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913: "Lucian of Antioch" Retrieved on September 6, 2006. Contains bibliography.
- Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers vol. III, ch LXXVII
- Schaff, Philip, History of the Christian Church, Volume II: "Ante-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 100-325" Contains bibliography.
This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia, so may be out of date, or reflect the point of view of the Catholic Church as of 1913. It should be edited to reflect broader and more recent perspectives.
