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Saint Pamphilus of Caesarea

Caesarea priest who built a famed library, teacher of Eusebius, martyred in 309

Rank
Saint
Kind
Priest, Martyr
Life
d. ~309
Era
4th century
Feast
16 February
Countries
Lebanon, Israel
IsraelLebanon

Life story

Pamphilus came from a noble family of Berytus. He sold his property and gave it to the poor, then went to Alexandria to study under Pierius, head of the catechetical school there. He was especially devoted to the works of Origen. He then settled at Caesarea in Palestine, was ordained a priest and founded a school of theology.

He gathered a large library that remained the pride of the church of Caesarea for centuries. The Catholic Encyclopedia says he took pains to copy Scripture accurately and lent copies to poor scholars, and according to Jerome he copied most of Origen's works by his own hand. The library held Origen's Hexapla and was still in existence in the sixth century, but probably did not long survive the Arab capture of Caesarea in 638. Eusebius, his friend and pupil, added the name Pamphili in memory of their friendship and wrote the Apology for Origen with him; only the first book survives, in Rufinus's Latin translation.

The Diocletian persecution began in 303. In November 307 Pamphilus refused to sacrifice, was tortured and imprisoned, and in prison he went on copying books. He was beheaded with others of his circle; most sources give 16 February 309 (Britannica 310). Porphyrius, a young disciple, asked for the bodies of the martyrs for burial and was tortured and killed. Eusebius records that Valens, a deacon of Jerusalem, and Paul of Jamnia were sentenced with him. His feast is 16 February; a Catholic commemoration on 1 June is also listed.

Works and witness

  • Studied under Pierius at Alexandria and settled at Caesarea in Palestine
  • Founded a library and school, copying Scripture and Origen's works
  • Wrote the Apology for Origen with Eusebius while in prison
  • Arrested in November 307 for refusing to sacrifice
  • Beheaded around 309 (one source says 310)

Saints from the same country

Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Saint Rafqa, Saint Nimatullah Kassab, Blessed Stephen Nehmé

References

  • Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): 'Pamphilus of Caesarea'
  • Britannica, 'Pamphilus' (death 310; via search summary)
  • Wikipedia article on Pamphilus of Caesarea (read in full; arrest November 307, 16 February 309, companions)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.