Gregory of Cappadocia

Gregory of Capadocia
Patriarch of Alexandria
Predecessor Athanasius I
Successor Athanasius I
Personal details
Died 345

Gregory of Cappadocia served as Patriarch of Alexandria between 339 and 345. This appointment is not accepted by the church of Alexandria as it was not according to church laws. The appointment was made due to political pressure on Emperor Constantius II by Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia, who had been one of the strong opponents of Patriarch Athanasius I and a supporter of Arianism from the very beginning.

Gregory was enthroned during one of the exiles of Patriarch Athanasius I from Alexandria. Most in the Eastern Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Coptic Church deny his papacy and say that Athanasius I was the true patriarch, considering Gregory to be a usurper of the Alexandrian see.[1] Gregory was well spoken and a close friend to the Roman Emperor, and that became the reason as to why he became a "Patriarch" of Alexandria. His Arian views were not favoured in Egypt at the time and to this date the Christians believe that his views are heretical. [2]

He died in 345, probably from violence, June 345.[3]

Preceded by
Athanasius I
Patriarch of Alexandria (not acknowledged)
339—345
Succeeded by
Athanasius I

References

  1. Young, Frances; Teal, Andrew (1 June 2010), From Nicaea to Chalcedon: A Guide to the Literature and Its Background (Second ed.), Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, p. 50, ISBN 978-0-8010-3915-7, retrieved 14 January 2013
  2. Athanasius of Alexandria
  3. Clifford, Cornelius. "St. Athanasius." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 4 Aug. 2014
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