The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Theonas of Marmarica
exiled AD 325 · Bishop of Marmarica · Refused the Nicene creed · Marmarica, Libya
The Nicene Age
Who Theonas of Marmarica was
The second of the two Libyan bishops exiled with Arius from Nicaea — signatory of nothing, remembered for the refusal itself: the entire visible remainder of the Arian party on the council's last day.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.
Common questions
When did Theonas live?
Theonas of Marmarica is dated exiled AD 325 in the archive, which places Theonas in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Theonas?
Theonas of Marmarica 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 Theonas from?
The archive associates Theonas of Marmarica with Marmarica, Libya. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Theonas’ contemporaries?
The archive links Theonas of Marmarica to 2 other figures, including Arius and Secundus of Ptolemais. 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)
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 449…save Secundus and Theonas, bishops of Libya, who were banished with Arius.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 Theonas.
- 1Libyaprovince only