Saint Helenus
Saint Helenus (died c. 270 AD in Tarsus, Cilicia, modern Turkey) was Bishop of Tarsus in the mid-3rd century, notable for his role in the controversy over the rebaptism of heretics and for his participation in the synods that addressed the case of Paul of Samosata, the heterodox Bishop of Antioch. He is listed in the Roman Martyrology. His feast day is April 7 (sharing the date with Saint Hegesippus in some martyrologies) or in some sources March 7.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Helenus
| Saint Helenus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | March 07 |
| Profession | Bishop; synodal participant; defender of orthodoxy |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Church; Bishop of Tarsus c. 250–270 AD |
| Patronage | Tarsus; bishops; those who defend orthodoxy in council; Cilicia |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; synod or scroll (his conciliar activity); Tarsus cityscape |
| Birthplace | Tarsus, Cilicia, modern Turkey (probable) |
| Death Place | Tarsus, Cilicia, modern Turkey |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died as bishop of Tarsus c. 270 AD |
| Primary Shrine | Historical veneration in Tarsus; listed in the Roman Martyrology; no major surviving shrine |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast March 7 or April 7 depending on the martyrology; listed in the Roman Martyrology |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar |
Biography
Helenus was Bishop of Tarsus, one of the most historically significant cities of early Christianity — the birthplace of Saint Paul. He served as bishop in the mid-to-late 3rd century during the complex theological controversies that preceded the great Arian crisis of the 4th century.
He is notable in Church history for two reasons:
First, he participated in the debate over the rebaptism of heretics — a major controversy of the 3rd century in which Saint Cyprian of Carthage (who required rebaptism of converts from heresy) clashed with Pope Stephen I (who accepted heretical baptism as valid if performed in the name of the Trinity). Eusebius records that Helenus was among the Eastern bishops involved in these debates, and he is reported to have corresponded with Firmilian of Caesarea, who supported Cyprian's position.
Second, he participated in the Synods of Antioch (c. 264–268 AD) convened to examine the teaching of Paul of Samosata, the Bishop of Antioch, who held that Christ was a mere man upon whom the divine Word had come as an external power (an early form of Adoptionism or dynamic Monarchianism). The synods eventually deposed Paul — an important early precedent for conciliar authority and episcopal discipline.
Helenus died as bishop of Tarsus around 270 AD. He is venerated as a confessor-bishop in the Roman Martyrology.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Tarsus, Cilicia, modern Turkey (probable)
Death location: Tarsus, Cilicia, modern Turkey
Notable location: His episcopal see; Tarsus was the birthplace of Saint Paul and one of the most important cities of early Christianity; Helenus governed this historic see during the critical 3rd-century controversies over heresy and baptism (Tarsus, Cilicia (modern Turkey))
Notable location: He participated in the Synod of Antioch (c. 264–268 AD) that addressed the heresy of Paul of Samosata (Bishop of Antioch who denied the full divinity of Christ); he was one of the bishops who worked to depose Paul of Samosata — an important early precedent for conciliar authority (Antioch, Syria (modern Antakya, Turkey))
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Feast day
March 7
Veneration
Saint Helenus is listed in the Roman Martyrology and venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as a confessor-bishop.
Prayers
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