Saint Serapion The Scholastic

Saint Serapion The Scholastic, also known as Serapion of Arsinoe, Serapion of Thmuis, and Serapion the Scholar, was an influential figure in the early Christian Church. Born in Egypt, he dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. Serapion is best known for running the renowned catechetical school of Alexandria, Egypt, an institution famous for its rigorous academic and theological teachings. However, despite his success as an educator, Serapion felt a calling towards a more contemplative life of prayer and penitence. In pursuit of this path, he resigned from his position at the school and became a spiritual disciple of Saint Anthony the Abbot, who was renowned for his asceticism and wisdom in the desert. As a pupil of Saint Anthony, Serapion embraced a life of deep contemplation and self-discipline. Immersed in the spiritual teachings and practices of his mentor, he experienced profound spiritual growth and became acquainted with the rigors of the monastic life. After some time, Serapion emerged from his seclusion and was ordained as the Bishop of Thmuis, a town near Diospolis in the Nile delta of Egypt, in the year 339. As a bishop, Serapion became deeply involved in the theological controversies of his time, particularly the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. He became a staunch supporter of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, who was a leading defender of orthodox Christian teaching against the Arians. Serapion's efforts to combat Arianism were not without consequence. In 347, he spoke on behalf of Athanasius in the Council of Sardis and was subsequently banished by Emperor Constantius II for his opposition to the heresy. Despite this setback, Serapion remained steadfast in his convictions and continued to fight for the orthodox faith. Saint Jerome, a later scholar and doctor of the Church, recognized Serapion's faithfulness and named him a Confessor of the Faith. Serapion also vigorously opposed Macedonianism, a heretical movement that denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit. He wrote extensively against Manichaeism, a dualistic belief system that posited the existence of both a good and an evil deity and claimed that the material world was inherently evil. Serapion's writings included several learned letters and a treatise on the titles of the Psalms, which shed light on the rich symbolism and spiritual significance of these Biblical hymns. He also compiled a sacramentary called the Euchologium, a collection of liturgical prayers used within the Christian community. Recognizing Serapion's profound wisdom and theological insight, Saint Athanasius requested his assistance in his own writings against the Arians, entrusting him with the task of revising and refining his works. Saint Serapion The Scholastic passed away between the years 365 and 370 while in exile in Egypt. He died of natural causes, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual brilliance, spiritual depth, and unwavering faith. Though his representation is unknown and he is not attributed with specific patronages, his contributions to Christian thought and the defense of orthodoxy make him a revered figure in the history of the Church.