medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Abba Theonas:
Theonas (16th patriarch) may have been the first to have nominated his
successor. On his deathbed, he said 'You are not orphans, but this Peter is
your father, and he shall be patriarch after me.' Peter I lasted 10 years (till
310) and, in turn, nominated Achillas (died 311), who nominated Alexander I
(died 328). The rest, of course, is history, but seems to be important for the
Coptic church in re the nomination of successors.
Theonas 'was placed upon the episcopal throne of Alexandria after the people
had assembled, and had come to an agreement upon his fitness for the office'.
Theonas is buried with several other patriarchs of that time, in the church of
the cave in Alex.
This all from Otto F. A. Meinardus, _Christian Egypt: Faith and Life_, Cairo:
American University in Cairo Press, 1970. (A volume we either all have or else
all wish we had on our shelves).
The Coptic Synaxarium has his feast on 10 January, so what he's doing showing
up in August baffles me!
Angus Graham, Oman
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