Epiphanius of Salamis
Bishop in Cyprus and cataloguer of heresies
- Born
- c. 315, near Eleutheropolis, Palestine
- Died
- 403, at sea
- Office
- Bishop of Salamis (Constantia), Cyprus, from 367
- Main work
- Panarion ('Medicine Chest'), 374–377
- Contents
- Descriptions and refutations of 80 heresies
Fourth-century bishop of Cyprus whose Panarion catalogues 80 heresies, including a Gnostic group that made Norea the wife of Noah.
What is Epiphanius of Salamis known for?
Epiphanius was born around 315 near Eleutheropolis in Palestine, became a monk, and in 367 was made bishop of Salamis, then called Constantia, on Cyprus. He held the post until his death at sea in 403. He was a fierce opponent of Origen's ideas and of anything he considered heresy.
His Panarion, or 'Medicine Chest,' written between 374 and 377, describes 80 heresies with a remedy for each and ends with a statement of orthodox doctrine. It is hostile and sometimes unreliable, but it preserves information about many groups and texts that would otherwise be lost.
In his chapter on a Gnostic group he calls the Nicolaitans and related sects, he reports that they told of Norea, whom they made Noah's wife, and who set fire to the ark more than once because she was not allowed to board. Norea also appears in Nag Hammadi texts, such as the Hypostasis of the Archons, where she resists the archons.
He reports a Gnostic tradition that Norea was Noah's wife and burned the ark.
Mentioned on these pages
- Rabbit holeNorea
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 'Saint Epiphanius of Constantia'Reference
- Wikipedia, 'Epiphanius of Salamis'Reference
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