Read Baring-Gould’s full account
Baring-Gould’s sources: The “Mart. Parvum,” Ado, Usuardus, Notker, and other Latin artyrologies, the Modem Roman Martyrology. Authorities: — Euseb., “Hist. Eccl.,” iv. c. 24; S. Jerome, “CataL Script EccL,” c. 25.] Theophilus was brought up in the darkness of paganism, j and he only learned the doctrines of Christianity by reading | the sacred Scriptures for the purpose of combating them. But the study of these books, and especially of the Prophets, convinced him of the truth of Christianity. 1 We know no details of his career till the year 168, when Eros, fifth bishop of Antioch, died, when Theophilus was elected in his room. Eusebius says: “ There are three books containing the ele* ments of the faith, addressed to Autolycus, which are ascribed to Theophilus, whom we have mentioned as Bishop of Antioch. Another also, which has the title, ‘Against the heresy of Hermogenes/ in which he uses testimony from the Revelation of John, and also some catechetical works. And as the heretics, no less then than at any other time, were like tares destroying the pure seed of apostolic doctrines, the pastors of the churches everywhere hastened to restrain them as wild beasts from ravaging the fold of Christ. Sometimes they did it by their exhortations and admonitions to the brethren, sometimes more openly contending with the heretics themselves, in oral discussions and refutations, and then again confuting them in written works. Theophilus, therefore, with others, also contended against these, as is manifest from a work of no mean character, written by him against Marcion, which together with the others we have mentioned, is still preserved. He was succeeded by MaxiS. Faustus and Others.
…minus, the seventh from the apostles in the church of Antioch.” It is uncertain how long he reigned: according to Eusebius [Eusebius of Caesarea (d. c. 339), the first historian of the Church], eight years, but according to others twelve or thirteen. The latter supposition is the most probable; for his work addressed to Autolycus was certainly written after the death of Marcus Aurelius, consequently after a.d. 180. The three books to Autolycus have alone survived.
