ANTIOCHUS, bishop of Ptolemais (Phoenicia). — A celebrated orator, referred to by some as Chrysostom. Having become a friend of Severianus of Gabala and other opponents of St JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, bishop of Constantinople, he was one of the most zealous accusers against him at the synod held at the Oak (403). When Chrysostom returned in April from his first exile, A. continued his opposition tenaciously and led the delegation that, from the prison of Arcadius, sought and obtained his second exile (20 June 404). A. vainly attempted to secure the approval of Pope INNOCENT I. After the death of the anti-Chysostomian patriarch Flavian, A. consecrated Porphyrius, known for his hostility towards Chrysostom. He died no later than early 408.
Many contemporaries passed a very severe judgment on A. Yet some of his works were cited with honour by the Council of Chalcedon (Mansi, VII, 469), by Theodore (Eunuchus, II: PG 83, 205), by St CYRIL of Alexandria (De recta fide ad reginas, I, 10: PG 76, 1213) and by Leo the Grammarian of Byzantium (Remus acaram, II: PG 86, 2044). These are all that remain of his works. Gennadius (De viris inlustribus, 20) still records an Adversus avaritiam and a homily In curatione caeci, now lost.