The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Epiphanius the Ascetic
fl. c. AD 360s (death unrecorded) · Hermit · Ascetic teacher · Armenia
The Nicene Age
Who Epiphanius the Ascetic was
An ascetic named in the Epic Histories among the hermits of fourth-century Armenia — evidence that the monastic movement reached the Caucasus in the same generation it reached Egypt and Syria. He is attested no less well than several of the Egyptian desert fathers the archive already holds. Distinct from Epiphanius of Salamis.
Named in the fifth-century Armenian sources only — late attestation for a fourth-century figure, on the same footing as Gregory, Trdat and Nerses in this archive.
Also listed in desert fathers & mothers.
Common questions
When was Epiphanius active?
Epiphanius the Ascetic is dated fl. c. AD 360s (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Epiphanius in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400). 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 Epiphanius?
Epiphanius the Ascetic is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Pʼawstos Buzand. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Epiphanius from?
The archive associates Epiphanius the Ascetic with Armenia.
Who were Epiphanius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Epiphanius the Ascetic to 2 other figures, including Gind and Nerses I the Great. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Buzandaran Patmutʼiwnkʼ (The Epic Histories) passim — anonymous Armenian composition of the 470s
c. AD 475[Named among the ascetics and hermits of Armenia in the fourth century.]Pʼawstos Buzand · Epic Histories passim · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Named alongside Epiphanius in the sources
This figure is placed with Epiphanius by the record — in a council roll, a martyr-act, a letter or a history — without Epiphanius naming them in return.
Events in this lifetime
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
- AD 320 · Silvanus tried before Zenophilus, AD 320
- AD 325 · The Council of Nicaea, AD 325
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
- AD 343 · The Council of Serdica, AD 343
- AD 361 · Julian’s pagan restoration, AD 361
- AD 366 · Damasus and the catacomb epigrams, AD 366
- AD 367 · Athanasius lists the 27 NT books, AD 367
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Epiphanius.
- 1Armeniaprovince only