Saint Theodosius I of Alexandria | |
|---|---|
| Pope of Alexandria & Patriarch of the See of St. Mark | |
| Papacy began | 535 |
| Papacy ended | 22 June 566 |
| Predecessor | Timothy III |
| Successor | Paul/Peter IV |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | 22 June 566 |
| Buried | Saint Mark's Church |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Denomination | Coptic Orthodox Christian |
| Residence | Saint Mark's Church |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 22 June (28Paoni in theCoptic calendar) |
Pope Theodosius I of Alexandria (died June 22, 566) was the lastPatriarch of Alexandria recognised by boththe Coptic Orthodox Christians andthe Chalcedonian Melchites.
As successor toTimothy III (IV), at the request of the Arab kingAl-Harith ibn Jabalah al-Ghassani andEmpress Theodora's efforts,Jacob Baradaeus ordained a universal bishop in 543/4 AD by Mor Theodosius.[1] He was at first recognized by the EmperorJustinian I and theEastern Orthodox Church. However, because of hisMiaphysite theology, he was rejected by theEastern Orthodox Church of Alexandria and exiled by the EmperorJustinian I in 536. In his place,Paul was elected Patriarch.[2]
As the Copts continued to recognise Theodosius, the lineage between theCoptic andMelchite split. This split endures until today.
Theodosius spent the last 28 years of his life imprisoned inUpper Egypt and after his death the Coptic Church electedPeter IV as his successor.[2]
Theodosius is commemorated in the CopticSynaxarion on the 28th day of Ba'unah (June 5), the day of his death.
| Religious titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Patriarch of Alexandria 535–536 | Succeeded by |
| Coptic Pope 535–567 | Succeeded by | |