List of patriarchs of Alexandria

The Patriarch of Alexandria (also known as the Bishop of Alexandria or Pope of Alexandria) is the highest-ranking bishop of Egypt and exists separately in both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Byzantine Orthodox Church. The Patriarchs trace back their lineage to Mark the Evangelist.

This list contains those Patriarchs who served before 536, when the Coptic Orthodox and the Greek (Melchite) lineages permanently parted ways. This schism first began in 451, after the Council of Chalcedon, but for the next decades both parties still competed on the See of Alexandria and frequently still recognized the same Patriarch. For later Popes and Patriarchs, follow the links at the bottom of this page.

List of Patriarchs (prior to 536)

1. Mark the Evangelist (43–68)
2. Anianus (68–85)
3. Avilius (85–98)
4. Kedron (98–109)
5. Primus (109–121)
6. Justus (121–131)
7. Eumenes (131–141)
8. Markianos (142–152)
9. Celadion (152–166)
10. Agrippinus (167–178)
11. Julian (178–189)
12. Demetrius I (189–232)
13. Heraclas (232–248)
14. Dionysius (248–264)
15. Maximus (265–282)
16. Theonas (282–300)
17. Peter I (300–311)
18. Achillas (312–313)
19. Alexander I (313–326) First ecumenical Council occurred
20. Athanasius I (328–339) Served as a Deacon for the First Council; later became Pope of Alexandria

    Gregory of Cappadocia (339–346), an Arian installed by the Emperor and not recognized by the adherents of the Nicene creed (and thus not counted by Coptic Orthodox, Byzantine Orthodox and Roman Catholic lineages).

    Athanasius I (restored) (346–373)

21. Peter II (373–380)
22. Timothy I (380–385) Second Ecumenical Council occurred
23. Theophilus I (385–412)
24. Cyril I (412–444) Third Ecumenical Council occurred
25. Dioscorus I (444–451), Second Council of Ephesus occurred. Pope Dioscorus was later deposed by the Council of Chalcedon but still recognized by Miaphysites until his death in 454.
26. Proterius (451–457) Deposed by Coptic (Alexandrian) Synod under Timothy II Aelurus, Chalcedonian
27. Timothy II Aelurus (457–460), Miaphysite
28. Timothy III Salophakiolos (460–475), Chalcedonian but not recognized by Miaphysites who continued to recognise Timothy II Aelurus

    Timothy II Aelurus (restored) (475–477), Miaphysite

29. Peter III Mongus (477), Miaphysite

    Timothy III Salophakiolos (restored) (477–481), Chalcedonian

30. John I Talaia, (481–482), Chalcedonian but not recognized by Miaphysites who continued to recognise Peter III Mongus

    Peter III Mongus (restored) (482–490), Miaphysite

31. Athanasius II (490–496), Miaphysite
32. John I (496–505), Miaphysite
33. John II (505–516), Miaphysite
34. Dioscorus II (516–517), Miaphysite
35. Timothy III (517–535), Miaphysite
36. Theodosius I (535–536), Miaphysite

    Gainas (536), in opposition to Theodosius

In 536 the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria withdrew their recognition of Theodosius I and elected Paul as Patriarch, while the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria continued to recognize Theodosius. For later succession of (Coptic) Popes and (Greek) Patriarchs, see:

• List of Coptic Orthodox Popes of Alexandria.
• List of Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Alexandria.

See also

• Patriarch of Alexandria

External links

• Coptic Papal Residence
• Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria
• Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia