The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Theotecnus of Caesarea
d. c. 303 · Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine · Caesarea Maritima
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Theotecnus of Caesarea was
Bishop of Caesarea after Domnus, a man of Origen’s school, best remembered for the scene at the church door in 262: when the soldier Marinus was given three hours to choose between his rank and his faith, Theotecnus led him in, laid before him the sword he wore and the book of the Gospels, “and bade him choose which he would.” Marinus reached for the book and went to his crown. Theotecnus later sat in the synods against Paul of Samosata and ordained Anatolius as his intended successor.
Eusebius only (HE VII.14–32) — one author, several loci.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees and roman emperors.
Common questions
When did Theotecnus die?
Theotecnus of Caesarea is dated d. c. 303 in the archive, which places Theotecnus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313). 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 Theotecnus?
Theotecnus of Caesarea 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 Theotecnus from?
The archive associates Theotecnus of Caesarea with Caesarea Maritima.
Who were Theotecnus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Theotecnus of Caesarea to 6 other figures, including Marinus of Caesarea, Anatolius of Laodicea, Origen of Alexandria and Hymenaeus of Jerusalem. 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.15
c. AD 325Theotecnus… taking him by the hand led him into the church, and placing him close to the altar, showed him the sword and the book of the divine Gospels, and bade him choose which he would.Eusebius of Caesarea · VII.15 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
- Marinus of Caesarea
- Anatolius of Laodicea
- Origen of Alexandria
- Hymenaeus of Jerusalem
- Heliodorus of Laodicea
- Protogenes
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- 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
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Theotecnus.