The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Silvanus of Gaza
d. AD 311 (beheaded at Phaeno) · Bishop of Gaza · Martyr of the mines · Gaza → Phaeno
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Silvanus of Gaza was
An old soldier turned presbyter and then bishop of the churches about Gaza, condemned first to the copper mines and at last beheaded at Phaeno with thirty-nine companions in a single day — the persecution's closing massacre in Palestine, and, Eusebius says, the crown of a man kept alive through every torment precisely for that hour.
Also listed in martyrs, bishops beyond the great sees and the great persecution.
Common questions
When did Silvanus die?
Silvanus of Gaza is dated d. AD 311 (beheaded at Phaeno) in the archive, which places Silvanus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Silvanus?
Silvanus of Gaza is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Silvanus from?
The archive associates Silvanus of Gaza with Gaza, Phaeno. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Silvanus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Silvanus of Gaza to 4 other figures, including Peleus of Egypt, Nilus of Egypt, Timothy of Gaza and Eusebius of Caesarea. 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.
Martyrs of Palestine 13 (with the Ecclesiastical History)
c. AD 325Silvanus, bishop of the churches about Gaza, was beheaded, with others, thirty-nine in all, at the copper mines of Phaeno — a truly blessed man, kept for the end that his long combat might be crowned.Eusebius of Caesarea · MP 13 · source text
Ecclesiastical History VIII.13.5 (named among the bishops slain in the mines)
c. AD 325Silvanus, bishop of the churches about Gaza, was beheaded with thirty-nine others at the copper mines of Phaeno; and the Egyptian bishops, Peleus and Nilus, suffered death by fire.Eusebius of Caesarea · Ecclesiastical History VIII.13 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 250 · The Decian persecution, AD 250
- AD 251 · The Novatianist schism, AD 251
- 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
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Silvanus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.