Meletius of Antioch (Greek: Μελέτιος, Meletios) was a Christian patriarch of Antioch from 360 until his death in 381. He was opposed by a rival bishop named Paulinus II of Antioch and his episcopate was dominated by the schism, usually called the Meletian schism. As a result, he was exiled from Antioch in 361–362, 365–366 and 371–378. One of his last acts was to preside over the First Council of Constantinople in 381.

There are contrasting views about his theological position: on the one hand, he was exiled three times under Arian emperors; on the other, he was strongly opposed by those faithful to the memory of the staunchly pro-Nicene Eustathius of Antioch, whom the synod of Melitene deposed for his Homoousianism, which they considered a heresy, and by Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, a firm opponent of Arianism.

Meletius' asceticism was remarkable in view of his great private wealth. He is venerated as a saint and confessor in the Roman Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches. His feast day is 12 February.

Bishop of Sebaste

Meletius was born at Melitene in Lesser Armenia of wealthy and noble parents. He first appears around 357 as a supporter of Acacius, bishop of Caesarea, the leader of that local faction that supported the Homoean formula, which says that the Son is like the Father without reference to essence or substance. In contrast, the Homoiousians held that God and Jesus Christ are of like essence and the Homoousians that they are, as stated in the Nicene Creed, of the same essence. Meletius thus first appears as an ecclesiastic of the court party, and as such became bishop of Sebaste in succession to Eustathius of Sebaste. The appointment was resented by the Homoousian clergy, and Meletius resigned the see.</blockquote>

Second and third exiles

Athanasius of Alexandria came to Antioch by order of the emperor, and expressed to Meletius his wish of entering into communion with him. Meletius, ill-advised, delayed answering him, and Athanasius went away having admitted Paulinus, whom he had not yet recognized as patriarch, to his communion.

The two remaining factions which divided the Antiochene Church were Orthodox, the supporters of Meletius and the adherents of Paulinus. Uniting them was a difficult move. A temporary pacification ensued when six of the leading presbyters took an oath not to seek episcopal consecration themselves but to accept as patriarch of Antioch whichever of the two rivals outlived the other.

Schism after his death

Meletius died soon after the opening of the First Council of Constantinople and the emperor Theodosius, who had received him with special distinction, ordered his body to be carried to Antioch and buried with the honours of a saint. The Meletian schism, however, did not end immediately with his death. In spite of the advice of Gregory of Nazianzus, Paulinus was not recognized as the sole patriarch and Flavian was consecrated as Meletius' successor.

The Eustathians, on the other hand, elected Evagrius of Antioch as patriarch on Paulinus II's death in 388. secured reconciliation between Flavian and the sees of Alexandria and Rome. However, it would take the Eustathians at Antioch until 415 to accept Flavian.

Notes and references

Further reading

  • Cavallera, F.; Le Schisme de Mélèce, Paris, Picard, 1906.
  • Saints.sqpn: Meletius of Antioch
  • Catholic Online: Meletius of Antioch
  • Santiebeati: Meletius of Antioch