Apollinaris

Apollinaris was an early church leader and writer who lived in the 2nd Century.

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The Catholic Encyclopedia teaches, St. Apollinaris Claudius A Christian apologist, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia in the second century. He became famous for his polemical treatises against the heretics of his day, whose errors he showed to be entirely borrowed from the pagans. He wrote two books against the Jews, five against the pagans, and two on "Truth." In 177 he published an eloquent "Apologia" for the Christians, addressed to Marcus Aurelius, and appealing to the Emperor's own experience with the "Thundering Legion", whose prayers won him the victory over the Quadi. The exact date of his death is not known, but it was probably while Marcus Aurelius was still Emperor."

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The Protestant scholars Roberts and Donaldson wrote this, "Apollinaris was bishop of Hierapolis on the Maeander, and, Lightfoot thinks, was probably with Melito and Polycrates, known to Polycarp, and influenced by his example and doctrine." (Roberts A., Donaldson J. Excerpted from Volume I of The Ante-Nicene Fathers; American Edition copyright © 1885. Copyright © 2001 Peter Kirby) pp. 772-773).

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Like Melito of Sardis, Polycrates of Ephesus, and Polycarp, Apollinaris would be considered a Quartodeciman (one who held that the date of Passover must remain the 14th of Nisan).

Related Topics:
Melito of Sardis - Polycrates of Ephesus - Polycarp - Quartodeciman

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Only fragments of his writings have been located. The longest appears to be the following, "There are, then, some who through ignorance raise disputes about these things (though their conduct is pardonable: for ignorance is no subject for blame -- it rather needs further instruction), and say that on the fourteenth day the Lord ate the lamb with the disciples, and that on the great day of the feast of unleavened bread He Himself suffered; and they quote Matthew as speaking in accordance with their view. Wherefore their opinion is contrary to the law, and the Gospels seem to be at variance with them...The fourteenth day, the true Passover of the Lord; the great sacrifice, the Son of God instead of the lamb, who was bound, who bound the strong, and who was judged, though Judge of living and dead, and who was delivered into the hands of sinners to be crucified, who was lifted up on the horns of the unicorn, and who was pierced in His holy side, who poured forth from His side the two purifying elements, water and blood, word and spirit, and who was buried on the day of the passover, the stone being placed upon the tomb" (Apollinaris. From the Book Concerning Passover. Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. Excerpted from Volume I of The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, editors); American Edition copyright © 1885. Copyright © 2001 Peter Kirby).

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As more and more ancient manuscripts are uncovered, we probably will learn more about Apollinaris and his writings. Until then, what we do know is that Apollinaris one who kept the Passover on the 14th of Nisan, did not believe that the Gospel allowed that to be changed and took stands against pagan influence.

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(Apollinaris may also refer to Apollinaris (date unknown), first bishop of Ravenna and martyr. Little is known of his life and actions, the best literary witness to his existence being Peter Chrysologus. His late and unreliable Acts make him a native of Antioch and disciple of St. Peter, who was four times expelled from his see and was stoned by a mob. His best memorials are the superb churches in Ravenna dedicated to his memory, with the fine mosaic representing him as shepherd of his flock. Feast: 23 July.)

Related Topics:
Ravenna - Peter Chrysologus - Acts - Antioch - St - Peter - 23 July

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(Apollinaris may also refer to Apollinaris (died 390), bishop of Laodicea, denied the proper humanity of Christ, by affirming that the Logos in Him took the place of the human soul, as well as by maintaining that His body was not composed of ordinary flesh and blood.)

Related Topics:
390 - Laodicea

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