The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Ursacius of Singidunum
fl. 335 – after 371 · Illyrian Arian bishop · Valens of Mursa's inseparable partner · Singidunum (Belgrade)
The Nicene Age
Who Ursacius of Singidunum was
Half of the West's Arianizing engine — pupil, with Valens of Mursa, of Arius himself in exile, accuser at Tyre, and co-manager of every campaign from Serdica to Rimini. The pair's one wobble is the record's delight: in 347 they wrote to Pope Julius retracting everything, confessing in writing that their charges against Athanasius were lies — then re-swallowed the retraction the moment Constantius won the West. Athanasius printed the letter and let it do its work forever.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees and heretics & schismatics.
Common questions
When was Ursacius active?
Ursacius of Singidunum is dated fl. 335 – after 371 in the archive, which places Ursacius in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
What did Ursacius write?
Ursacius of Singidunum has 1 catalogued writing in the archive: The 'Blasphemy' of Sirmium (357), with Valens.
Which early sources mention Ursacius?
Ursacius of Singidunum is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Athanasius of Alexandria and Theodoret of Cyrus. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Ursacius from?
The archive associates Ursacius of Singidunum with Singidunum (Belgrade).
Writings (1)
The 'Blasphemy' of Sirmium (357), with Valens
The manifesto that forbade 'substance' — drafted by the court bishops, preserved by its enemies[Hilary prints the text entire in order to burn it slowly]Read the interlinear source text →
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Apology Against the Arians 58
c. AD 350We confess before your goodness that all we have alleged against the bishop Athanasius is falsehood and fabrication… wherefore we anathematize the heretic Arius and his impious doctrine. — Ursacius and Valens, to Julius.Athanasius of Alexandria · 58 · source text
Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret II.15
c. AD 449Ursacius and Valens, bishops in Illyricum, who had long been of the Arian faction, framed and managed the councils against the faith of Nicaea.Theodoret of Cyrus · II.15 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- AD 339 · The persecution of Shapur II, AD 339
- AD 343 · The Council of Serdica, AD 343
- AD 361 · Julian’s pagan restoration, AD 361
- AD 366 · Damasus and the catacomb epigrams, AD 366
- AD 367 · Athanasius lists the 27 NT books, AD 367
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Ursacius.