Skip to main content
There's a Saint for That! Search

St. Severus of Antioch

Feast 02-08

Patron of

About

Severus of Antioch, called the Crown of Syrians and also known as Severus of Gaza, served as Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church from 512 until his death in 538. Born in Sozopolis in Pisidia and educated in Alexandria, he turned from a promising career in rhetoric to the monastic life, and his eloquence and theological zeal drew him to the attention of the emperor Anastasius, who promoted him to the see of Antioch.

As patriarch, Severus preached and wrote extensively in defense of Miaphysite Christology, and his letters, hymns, and homilies form a cornerstone of Syriac patristic literature. Driven from his see under Justin I, he spent his last years in exile in Egypt, continuing to guide his followers through correspondence. He is venerated as a saint by the Oriental Orthodox Church; the Syriac Orthodox celebrate his feast on 29 September, while the Coptic Orthodox keep it on 8 February. He is honored as a champion of orthodox confession and a patron of theologians.

theologians, theologian, theology, theological, divinity, divine learning, religious scholars, theological studies, sacred doctrine, theological research, divinity scholars, bishops, bishop, episcopacy, episcopal, diocese, church leaders, prelates, shepherds, apostolic successors, preachers, preacher, preaching, homilists, sermonizers, evangelists, preachers of the word, proclaimers, preaching the gospel, sermons, homilies, church unity, christian unity, ecumenism, unity of christians, ecumenical, church reunion, christian reunion, unity of the churches, christian reconciliation, church fellowship, scholars, scholar, scholarship, academics, academic research, learned, intellectuals, researchers, professors, academic study, learned persons

Suggested prayer

O God, who gave your bishop Severus a keen mind and an unyielding confession of your Son's truth, grant through his intercession that theologians and pastors may speak with clarity and bear witness with charity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sources

Other saints to pray to

For theologians

For bishops