Peter II of Alexandria | |
|---|---|
| Patriarch of Alexandria | |
| Papacy began | 373 |
| Papacy ended | 381 |
| Predecessor | Athanasius the Apostolic |
| Successor | Timothy I |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | 27 February 381 |
| Buried | Dominicium,Alexandria |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Residence | Saint Mark's Church |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 27 February (20Amshir in theCoptic calendar)[1] |
Patriarch Peter II of Alexandria (Greek:Πέτρος Β΄ Αλεξανδρείας; died 27 February 381) was the 21stPatriarch of Alexandria from AD 373 to AD 381. He was a disciple ofAthanasius of Alexandria who designated him as his successor before his death in 373.[2][3]
TheArians opposed his appointment and shortly after his consecration, the prefect Palladius, acting on orders from EmperorValens drove him from the city and installedLucius, an adherent of Arianism as bishop.[4][5]Pope Damasus I, hearing of this new persecution, sent a deacon with a letter of communion and consolation for Peter; the messenger was arrested, treated as a criminal, savagely beaten, and sent to the mines of Phenne.[2]
Peter remained for some time in concealment, and then found refuge at Rome, where Damasus received him and gave him support against the Arians. While there, he participated in a council to condemnApollinarism. Peter returned to Alexandria in the spring of 378,[2] where Lucius yielded out of fear of the populace.
Peter was a staunch defender of Nicene theology, a position endorsed byTheodosius I, who cites Peter of Alexandria in hisEdict of Thessalonica. The Emperor called Peter a man of apostolic holiness.[6]
Peter died around 380 and was succeeded by his brother Timothy.[4]
| Titles of the Great Christian Church | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria 373–380 | Succeeded by |