St. Pachomius Library

Alexandria, Egypt

Cultural and (in Hellenistic times) political capital of Egypt. Centre of Greek influence in that country (even today). In ancient times, because of the famous Library and Museum, the largest university town in the Mediterranean world; also site of a large Jewish colony. The Alexandrian school, (both a literal institution and a way of thinking), exerted enormous influence on early Christian philosophy. Since the era of Chalcedon, there have been both "Melkite" (pro-Chalcedonian, in practice Greek -- not to be confused with Eastern Rite Catholic Melkite) and "Coptic" (non-Chalcedonian) patriarchs of Alexandria.

PATRIARCHS:
- List of Patriarchs of Alexandria to 1500: Includes both Greek and Coptic patriarchs. --- Byzantium
- Severus of Al-Ushmanain: History of the (Coptic) Patriarchs of Alexandria, (excerpts) --- SPL
- In early times, the bishop was reportedly seen a chief of priests, elected from among his colleagues to provide leadership in the same way that a general is (or was at that time) a soldier elected to lead his fellow fighters:
  
  St. Jerome, Ep. 146, i:
OTHER ASSOCIATED PERSONS:

SAINTS: St. Catherine;

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