The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Lucius of Alexandria
d. c. AD 380 (fl. 373–378 in the see) · Arian intruder in Athanasius's see · Persecutor of the monks · Alexandria
The Nicene Age
Who Lucius of Alexandria was
The Arian presbyter thrust into Alexandria over Peter, Athanasius's chosen successor — entering the city, Peter's encyclical says, escorted by the pagan mob and the imperial treasurer. His five years ran on force: Nicene clergy deported, virgins beaten, and the desert itself invaded, the aged Macarii shipped to a Nile island until the outcry brought them back. Expelled for good when Theodosius's peace reached Egypt; the church historians made his episcopate the case study of a see held by soldiers alone.
Also listed in heretics & schismatics and desert fathers & mothers.
Common questions
When did Lucius die?
Lucius of Alexandria is dated d. c. AD 380 (fl. 373–378 in the see) in the archive, which places Lucius 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 Lucius?
Lucius of Alexandria is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Jerome and Theodoret of Cyrus. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Lucius from?
The archive associates Lucius of Alexandria with Alexandria.
Who were Lucius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Lucius of Alexandria to 2 other figures, including Athanasius of Alexandria and Emperor Valens. 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.
On Illustrious Men 118
c. AD 393Lucius, bishop of the Arian party at Alexandria after Athanasius, wrote festal letters on the passover and a few small works, and held the church, by the violence of the times, until the reign of Theodosius.Jerome · 118 · source text
Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret IV.21–22
c. AD 449Lucius made his entry like a conqueror, with soldiers about him… and not content with the city, he sent the prefect's troops against the dwellers in the desert, and the fathers of the monks were carried into exile.Theodoret of Cyrus · IV.21 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- AD 372 · The martyrdom of Sabbas the Goth, AD 372
- AD 378 · Queen Mavia’s revolt, AD 378
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Lucius.