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Denys D'Alexandrie

Dionysius of Alexandria is a bishop of Alexandria and St. Christian III ^century and is celebrated on April 8.

History and tradition

We do not know much about Bishop Dionysius of Alexandria, otherwise what is said by Eusebius of Caesarea. Born probably in the early ^third century in Alexandria, a pagan family, a disciple of Origen and successor to Bishop Heraclas in Alexandria (247), Denys - said "the Great" - was persecuted during the reign of Philip the Arabic (248). Under Decius , he must seek refuge in Libya. During the persecution against Christians requested by Valerian , he was exiled again in Libya until it owes its liberation to Gallienus (262). Upon his return, he faces a revolution in Alexandria and the plague. Invited to the Synod of Antioch (264-265), he is unable to attend due to his age and he died during the synod.

The main source of information on Denys is the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius , who cites many of his letters. The works of Dionysius are mainly pastoral interest. Opponent Sabellianism he was himself suspected of tritheism and had to demonstrate his orthodoxy in a treatise entitled Refutation and Apology addressed to Dionysius of Rome. The passages cited by Eusebius particular concern Novatians the Sabellianism , the millenarianism (the pledges), the Epicurean (On Nature). Dionysius refused to identify the author of the Apocalypse with the apostle John , author of the fourth Gospel and the Johannine letters.