Two Egyptian priests elected in succession Bishops
for Syria.
Election of Abba Theonas.
Diocletian becomes Emperor.
Patriarchal Epistle to Lucian.
Stand of Alexandrian philosophers toward
Christianity.
Death of Abba Theonas.
At the vacancy of St. Mark's Chair, Maximos, a
priest of Alexandria, highly extolled by Abba Dionysius, was
elected by clergy and people in 270 A.D., to G11 that
vacancy, thus becoming the fifteenth Pope of Alexandria.
Born of Christian parents, Maximos was accorded
the privilege of a Christian education from his tenderise
years. Growing up in such an atmosphere, he became
saturated with love for the Church. He attended the School
of Alexandria when Origen was its Dean: He combined an
interest in philosophy with that of theology, and in time
became well-versed in both. Ordained deacon, then priest he
served and taught the people with zeal and diligence. Thus
his education and his service both prepared him for the
attainment of the supreme honour of becoming St. Mark's
successor.
Fortunately, peace had already been re-established
before he was elected the persecutions which had been
raging so mercilessly against the Church had subsided. Abba
Maximos found peace a most propitious ally for reaffirming
