[St. Pachomius Library]

Wulfila, Bishop of Gothia


Latin ULFILAS
IV Century
The apostle to the Goths, Wulfila (Ulphilias) was of Cappadocian descent and seems to have received a Christian education. His later thought, preserved in a confession of faith, is semi-Arian; he believes that the Son is like the Father but is not of the same essence. Eusebius of Nicomedia consecrated Wulfila bishop of the Goths c. 341, and he spent the next 40 years preaching among the Goths. He is said to have created the Gothic alphabet, and he translated the Septuagint and the New Testament into Gothic. He omitted the Book of Kings because, according to the Arian church historian Philostorgius, both the book and the people had a warlike nature. Socrates and Sozomen record that Wulfila aided persecuted Christians who sought refuge in the Roman Empire. Theodosius invited Wulfila to defend his faith at the 381 Council of Aquilea.

Karen Rae Keck

1

Return to St Pachomius Library.