The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Ischyras of the Mareotis
fl. AD 328–345 · Pretended presbyter · Accuser of Athanasius · the Mareotis, Egypt
The Nicene Age
Who Ischyras of the Mareotis was
The man behind the 'broken chalice': never validly ordained, he supplied the Meletians and Eusebians with the charge that Athanasius's agent had smashed a chalice in his 'church' — then recanted in writing, then accused again when it paid. The Council of Sardica knew his name; so did every Athanasian dossier for twenty years.
Common questions
When was Ischyras active?
Ischyras of the Mareotis is dated fl. AD 328–345 in the archive, which places Ischyras in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Ischyras?
Ischyras of the Mareotis is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Athanasius of Alexandria and Sozomen. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Ischyras from?
The archive associates Ischyras of the Mareotis with the Mareotis, Egypt. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Ischyras’ contemporaries?
The archive links Ischyras of the Mareotis to 3 other figures, including Athanasius of Alexandria, Arsenius of Hypsele and Eusebius of Nicomedia. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Apology Against the Arians 63–64 (with Ischyras's written recantation)
c. AD 350I declare that no chalice was broken nor table overturned… but that the Meletians constrained me to make the accusation. (From the letter of Ischyras to Athanasius.)Athanasius of Alexandria · source text
Church History II.25 (the broken chalice charge at Tyre)
c. AD 445Connected in the archive
People
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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Ischyras.
- 1Egyptprovince only