Avilius of Alexandria

Saint Avilius of Alexandria was the third bishop (pope and patriarch) of Alexandria, in the second half of the first century, in the reign of the emperor Domitian. He shepherded the Church of Egypt for twelve years and departed to the Lord in the year 95, or in 98 according to some sources. His name also appears as Abilius, Abylius or Melyos. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 22 February.

After the death of Anianus, the successor of the holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the bishops and priests of the surrounding region gathered with the people at Alexandria and elected Avilius unanimously. The election is said to have taken place in December of the year 83, in the Alexandrian month of Kiahk. Other sources give 84 as the beginning of his ministry.

Avilius was known for his purity of life, his piety and his care for the people of Christ. He continued to strengthen the faithful in the faith, and Christians grew in number in Egypt, in the Pentapolis and in the neighbouring lands. In his time people began to renounce the worship of idols and to gather together in communities. Although the official religion of Egypt was Roman paganism, the time of his leadership was a time of peace for the Church.

Some historians claim that the emperor Domitian drove him from his throne and set another in his place, but there is no written record of this. According to the surviving sources he remained in his see twelve years and died on the first day of the Coptic month of Thout, that is 11 September, in the year 95. He was buried next to the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist, in the church at Baucalis in Alexandria. He was succeeded by Kedron.

In the Coptic Church he is commemorated at the beginning of the Coptic year, on 1 Thout (11 September in the Gregorian calendar), in the Catholic Church on 29 August and 29 March, and in the Orthodox Church on 22 February.