St. Severus of Antioch

St. Severus of Antioch

Severus of Antioch (c. 465 – 538) was a prominent theologian and Patriarch of Antioch, known for his defense of Miaphysitism. His life and works remain influential in Oriental Orthodox Christianity.

Early Life and Education

Severus was born in Sozopolis, Pisidia (modern-day Turkey). He came from a wealthy family; his grandfather had been a bishop and attended the Council of Ephesus. Severus received a comprehensive education, studying grammar and rhetoric in Alexandria, and law and philosophy in Beirut. During his studies, he was drawn to Christianity, influenced by the works of theologians like Gregory of Nazianzus and Basil of Caesarea. He was baptized in Tripoli in 488.

Severus adopted an ascetic lifestyle, and after a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he became a monk in Palestine. He joined the monastery of Peter the Iberian near Gaza, a center of Miaphysite thought. He later established his own monastery.

Theological Stance: Miaphysitism

Severus became a leading voice in the Christological debates of the time. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 had defined Christ as having two natures, divine and human, in one person. Severus, however, advocated for Miaphysitism, a view rooted in the teachings of Cyril of Alexandria. Miaphysitism holds that Christ has one nature, but that this single nature is a unity of both divine and human aspects. This stance was seen by the Chalcedonians as a form of Monophysitism, the belief that Christ had only a divine nature. Severus, however, rejected Monophysitism, emphasizing the reality of Christ's humanity, though united with His divinity in one nature.

Severus's Christology emphasized the concept of "one incarnate nature of God the Word." He sought to maintain a balance between affirming the divinity of Christ and the reality of His humanity, without dividing the two. His writings are characterized by their precision, depth, and clarity, and they became foundational texts for Miaphysite theology.

Patriarchate and Exile

Severus's theological reputation grew, and he went to Constantinople in 508, where he became influential in theological circles and gained the favor of Emperor Anastasius, who also opposed the Chalcedonian definition. In 512, Severus was elected Patriarch of Antioch, a significant see in the Christian world. As Patriarch, he replaced Chalcedonian patriarchs and promoted Miaphysite theology, leading to considerable controversy.

However, the political and ecclesiastical landscape shifted with the death of Emperor Anastasius in 518. His successor, Justin I, supported the Chalcedonian Creed. Severus was deposed and forced into exile, spending much of the remaining 20 years of his life in Egypt. Despite his exile, Severus continued to write prolifically, defending his theological views and corresponding with supporters.

In 535, Emperor Justinian I, who was more open to theological dialogue, invited Severus to Constantinople. Severus engaged in debates with Chalcedonian theologians, but no lasting agreement was reached. He returned to Egypt, where he died in 538. [Page Break]

Legacy and Influence

Severus of Antioch's influence endured long after his death. His writings, preserved in Greek and Syriac, continue to be central to the theology of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, including the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and others. He is revered as one of the most important theologians and defenders of the faith in these traditions.

His key works include:

• Against the Grammarian: A refutation of the Chalcedonian Christology.

• Philalethes: Further defense of Miaphysitism.

• Homilies: Numerous sermons on various theological and biblical themes.

• Letters: A vast collection of correspondence that provides insights into his theology and the ecclesiastical politics of his time.

Severus's legacy is complex. He was a major theological figure, a Patriarch in tumultuous times, and a symbol of resistance to the Chalcedonian Creed. His writings remain a vital part of Oriental Orthodox theology, and he is remembered as a staunch defender of his faith and a significant figure in the history of Christianity.