ACACIUS, bishop of BEREA. — Born around 332, he devoted himself in his youth to the eremitical life in the vicinity of Antioch. Distinguished in his opposition to the Arians, Apollinarians, and Macedonians, even suffering exile, he was appointed bishop of Berea by the patriarch of Constantinople MELETIUS (378), who shortly thereafter sent him to Rome as a bearer to Pope Damasus of the acts of a council celebrated at Antioch. He attended the Council of Constantinople (381). Having taken part in the illegitimate episcopal consecration of Flavian, successor of Meletius, he was excommunicated by Pope Damasus but later reinstated by his successor Innocent I.
Although he enjoyed great renown for sanctity, he was a harsh adversary of St. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, whose deposition he sought at the Oak Council. However, under the injunction of Innocent I, he was compelled to retract and to inscribe the name of Chrysostom in the diptychs. He lived beyond a hundred years, dying around 433. Some of his letters remain (PG 77, 1445 ff.).