Saint Severus, Patriarch of Antioch
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the life of Saint Severus, one of the champions of Orthodoxy, whom we commemorate in the synaxis of saints after Maris and before Saint Athanasius the Apostolic and Saint Peter the Seal of the Martyrs. Severus lived in the sixth century and was Syriac by origin from the holy see of Antioch the Apostolic.
Origins, Education and Intellectual Conversion
Severus was born around the year 459 and studied philosophy, law, rhetoric and oratory, and he was among the greatest men of his age and worked as a lawyer. During his studies he heard a spiritual call “leave the laws of the world and follow me” so he abandoned his work and turned to monasticism in the Monastery of Saint George in the year 488 when he was twenty-nine years old.
Monastic Life and Asceticism
He delved into theology, ritual, fasting and worship, and resorted to the hermitage and caves until his health weakened so he moved to the Monastery of Saint Romanus where the abbot welcomed him and people saw visions that foretold his greatness and his role in purging the earth of heresies and building the Antiochene see.
His Service and Theological Letters
Severus was both a theologian and a spiritual man; he authored hymns with theological and spiritual meaning and important letters to respond to theological dilemmas. He exchanged letters of faith with the Patriarch of Alexandria John and Dioscorus II, and wrote spiritual and theological articles among them articles on the genealogy series and their spiritual meanings, and letters to deaconesses such as Anastasia.
His Defense of the Faith and Persecution
He became known for his defensive stance for the Orthodox faith against the dyophysites and heresies. His fame reached Constantinople where he was summoned to answer the innovators, then he was ordained patriarch in honor though he tried to refuse. After the death of Emperor Anastasius who was Orthodox, persecutions appeared from other emperors like Justinian who struck him and exiled him, but the people demanded his presence for the preservation of the faith.
His Service in Alexandria and Pastoral Activity
He came to Alexandria and remained there for more than twenty years, touring towns and villages, confirming people in the faith, and he was a pillar of the strong columns of faith. He left many writings included in Syriac encyclopedias and theological linguistic circles and wrote very beautiful letters and spiritual homilies.
Conclusion and Spiritual Legacy
Saint Severus reposed in the year 538 at the age of about 79 years, and the Alexandrian see greatly venerated him as a champion among the champions of the faith. The primary spiritual message presented by the words of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III is that perseverance in faith, and theological knowledge translated into a spiritual life, make a man a foundation for building the Church and a guardian against heresies.
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