The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Theophilus (signatory at Antioch 268)
fl. AD 268 (death unrecorded) · Bishop · Signatory at Antioch · Antioch (the synod of 268)
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Theophilus (signatory at Antioch 268) was
One of the bishops who signed the synodal letter deposing Paul of Samosata — the fullest conciliar document surviving from the third century, and the first time a council put its reasoning in writing to the whole church. Most of the signatories are named here and nowhere else in ancient literature. Distinct from Theophilus of Antioch the apologist, from Theophilus of Caesarea and from Theophilus the Indian.
Named once, in the synodal letter of Antioch (268) at Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History VII.30.2; no other ancient source names him.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.
Common questions
When was Theophilus active?
Theophilus (signatory at Antioch 268) is dated fl. AD 268 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Theophilus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Theophilus?
Theophilus (signatory at Antioch 268) is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Theophilus from?
The archive associates Theophilus (signatory at Antioch 268) with Antioch (the synod of 268).
Who were Theophilus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Theophilus (signatory at Antioch 268) to 4 other figures, including Paul of Samosata, Malchion of Antioch, Domnus of Antioch and Firmilian of Caesarea. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Ecclesiastical History VII.30.2
c. AD 325[Helenus, Hymenaeus, Theophilus, Theotecnus, Maximus, Proclus, Nicomas, Aelianus, Paul, Bolanus, Protogenes, Hierax, Eutychius, Theodorus, Malchion and Lucius, to Dionysius and Maximus and to all our fellow-ministers throughout the world.]Eusebius of Caesarea · Ecclesiastical History VII.30.2 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 202 · Perpetua and Felicity martyred, AD 202
- AD 235 · Maximinus Thrax targets the clergy, AD 235
- 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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Theophilus.