Heracles, patriarch of Alexandria

Heraclas, patriarch of Alexandria, a.d. 233–249; brother of the martyr Plutarch, one of Origen's converts (Eus. H. E. vi. 3). From being a pupil he became an assistant in teaching to Origen, who left the school to him when he retired from Alexandria to Caesarea (ib. 15, 26). Heraclas retained the school but a short time, for on the death of Demetrius he was elected to the archiepiscopal throne. Heraclas did not adopt any of his teacher's peculiar views, but voted for his deprivation both from his office as teacher and from his orders and for his excommunication at the two synods held by Demetrius, nor when elected bishop did he attempt to rescind these sentences. Eusebius (ib. 31) narrates a visit paid to Heraclas by Africanus the annalist on hearing of his great learning, and (ib. vii. 7), on the authority of his successor Dionysius, gives his rule respecting the treatment of heretics. Le Quien, Oriens Christ. ii. 392; Phot. Cod. 118; Acta SS. Boll. Jul. 3. 645–647.

[L.D.]