ACACIO, bishop of BEREA. - Born about 332, he devoted himself in his youth to the eremitical life in the environs of Antiochia. Distinguished in his opposition to the Arians, Apollinarians, and Macedonians, to the point of suffering exile, he was made bishop of Berea by the patriarch of Constantinopoli Melezio (378), who shortly afterwards also sent him to Rome as bearer to pope Damaso of the acts of a council held at Antiochia. He attended the Council of Constantinopoli (381). Having taken part in the illegitimate episcopal consecration of Flaviano, successor of Melezio, he was excommunicated by pope Damaso, but was subsequently reinstated by his successor Innocenzo I.
Although he enjoyed a great reputation for holiness, he was a bitter adversary of s. Giovanni Crisostomo, whose deposition he demanded at the Synod of the Oak. But, at the command of Innocenzo I, he had to recant and enter the name of Crisostomo in the diptychs. He lived for more than a hundred years, dying about 433. Several letters of his remain (PG 77, 1445 sqq.).