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Apollinaris Of Laodicea
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year of birth unknown
   
390 deaths
   
syrian people
   
4th century bishops
   
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He is best known, however, as a warm opponent of ), that if the Godhood without constraint swayed the manhood there was no possibility of real human probation or of real advance in Christ's manhood. The position was accordingly condemned by several synods and in particular by that of Constantinople (AD 381 ). This did not prevent its having a considerable following, which after Apollinaris's death divided into two sects, the more conservative taking its name (Vitalians) from Vitalis, bishop of Antioch, the other (Polemeans) adding the further assertion that the two natures were so blended that even the body of Christ was a fit object of adoration. The whole Apollinarian type of thought persisted in what was later the Monophysite school.

Apollinaris did make a lasting contribution to orthodox theology in declaring that Christ was co-substantial (of one substance) with the Father as regarding his divinity and co-substantial with us as regarding his humanity. This formula, which originated with Apollinaris, later became official orthodox doctrine. Apollinaris was also one of the first to claim that God suffered and died on the cross, a claim which received immediate condemnation but later became acceptable in orthodox theology.

Although Apollinaris was a prolific writer, scarcely anything has survived under his own name. But a number of his writings are concealed under the names of orthodox Fathers, e.g. ἡ κατα μερος πιστις, long ascribed to Gregory Thaumaturgus. These have been collected and edited by Hans Lietzmann.

Two letters of his correspondence with Basil Of Caesarea are also extant, although there is scholarly debate regarding their authenticity because they record the orthodox theologian Basil asking Apollinaris for theological advice on the orthodox term 'homoousios'. However, these concerns are unfounded, as before Apollinarius began promulgating what was seen as heretical doctrines, he was a highly respected Bishop and friend of Athanasius and Basil.

He must be distinguished from the Apollinaris Claudius , bishop of Hierapolis, who bore the same name, and who wrote one of the early Christian "Apologies" (c. 170 ).


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