The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Secundus of Ptolemais
exiled AD 325 · Bishop of Ptolemais · Refused the Nicene creed · Ptolemais, Libya
The Nicene Age
Who Secundus of Ptolemais was
One of the two bishops — both Libyans, both early patrons of Arius — who alone of the three hundred refused to subscribe the homoousion at Nicaea, and went into exile with the condemned presbyter rather than sign.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.
Common questions
When did Secundus live?
Secundus of Ptolemais is dated exiled AD 325 in the archive, which places Secundus in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Secundus?
Secundus of Ptolemais is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Philostorgius, Socrates Scholasticus and Theodoret of Cyrus. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Secundus from?
The archive associates Secundus of Ptolemais with Ptolemais, Libya. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Secundus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Secundus of Ptolemais to 3 other figures, including Arius, Theonas of Marmarica and Alexander 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.
Church History I.9–10 (the two who would not sign, in the Arian historian)
c. AD 430Secundus and Theonas were the only ones who stood by Arius when all the rest subscribed.Philostorgius · Church History I.9 · source text
Ecclesiastical History I.8–9 (exiled with Arius)
c. AD 440Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret I.7–8
c. AD 449All gave assent and subscribed, save Secundus and Theonas, bishops of Libya, who were banished with Arius, refusing to set their hands to the creed.Theodoret of Cyrus · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 257 · The Valerian persecution, AD 257
- AD 260 · Gallienus’ edict of toleration, AD 260
- AD 268 · Antioch deposes Paul of Samosata, AD 268
- AD 272 · Aurelian awards the Antioch church, AD 272
- 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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Secundus.
- 1Libyaprovince only