APOSTOLIOS, ARISTOBULO

APOSTOLIOS, ARISTOBULUS. — Ecclesiastic and Greek scholar, Archbishop of Montemmasia, son of the famous scholar Michael, b. in 1465 at Candia (Crete), d. in 1535 at Venice. Called to Florence by Lorenzo de’ Medici in 1492, he collaborated for some time with Aldo Manuzio. In 1514 Leo X appointed him Bishop of Montemmasia, and on this occasion he changed his name from Aristobulus to Arsenius. The Patriarch of Constantinople regarded this appointment as an intolerable interference by the Pope and the Republic of Venice in the affairs of the Eastern Church, and excommunicated the archbishop. From this arose a long, intricate, and largely obscure controversy that ended with A.’s return to his see after 1525. His attachment to the Roman Church, though not disinterested, was constant and sincere. He shared the defects of many scholars of his time and nation, but was a diligent editor and most active copyist. Many manuscripts written by his hand are preserved.