The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Abilius of Alexandria
d. c. 95 · Bishop of Alexandria · Alexandria
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Abilius of Alexandria was
“In the fourth year of Domitian, Annianus… died after holding office twenty-two years, and was succeeded by Abilius, the second bishop” — thirteen years, by Eusebius’s count, spanning the Domitianic years. A name and a tenure: the Alexandrian succession before Demetrius is a bare list, and the archive presents its members as the evidence presents them, one honest line at a time.
Also listed in the bishops of Alexandria.
Common questions
When did Abilius die?
Abilius of Alexandria is dated d. c. 95 in the archive, which places Abilius in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Abilius?
Abilius of Alexandria is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea, The Constitutions' compiler and Jerome of Stridon. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Abilius from?
The archive associates Abilius of Alexandria with Alexandria.
Who were Abilius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Abilius of Alexandria to 2 other figures, including Annianus of Alexandria and Cerdon of Alexandria. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Ecclesiastical History III.14
c. AD 325In the fourth year of Domitian, Annianus, the first bishop of the parish of Alexandria, died… and Abilius succeeded him, the second bishop.Eusebius of Caesarea · III.14 · source text
Apostolic Constitutions VII.46 ('the second Avilius by Luke')
c. AD 380Of Alexandria, Annianus was the first, ordained by Mark the evangelist; the second Avilius by Luke, who was also an evangelist.The Constitutions' compiler · Apostolic Constitutions VII.46 · source text
Chronicle of Jerome (the Alexandrian succession)
c. AD 380Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
- AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70
- AD 95 · Domitian’s reprisals, AD 95
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Abilius.