The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Annianus of Alexandria
d. c. 82 · Bishop of Alexandria, after Mark · Alexandria
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Annianus of Alexandria was
“In the eighth year of Nero, Annianus succeeded Mark the evangelist in the administration of the parish of Alexandria” — Eusebius’s notice, dating his accession to 62 and calling him “a man beloved of God and admirable in all things.” Coptic tradition tells the founding story: a cobbler who, piercing his hand and crying “O One God,” became Mark’s first Alexandrian convert and, in time, his successor. He governed twenty-two years; the great catechetical church of Egypt begins its episcopal memory with him.
Also listed in the bishops of Alexandria.
Common questions
When did Annianus die?
Annianus of Alexandria is dated d. c. 82 in the archive, which places Annianus 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 Annianus?
Annianus 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 Annianus from?
The archive associates Annianus of Alexandria with Alexandria.
Who were Annianus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Annianus of Alexandria to 3 other figures, including John Mark, Abilius 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 II.24
c. AD 325When Nero was in the eighth year of his reign, Annianus succeeded Mark the evangelist in the administration of the parish of Alexandria.Eusebius of Caesarea · II.24 · source text
Apostolic Constitutions VII.46 (ordained by Mark the evangelist)
c. AD 380Of Alexandria, Annianus was the first, ordained by Mark the 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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Annianus.