COLLUTHUS. - A schismatic Alexandrian priest who, during the episcopate of ALEXANDER (312-28), arrogated to himself the power to ordain priests and deacons, consecrating against all ecclesiastical law those who came to him. This gave rise to a schism. It seems, however, that he also, in agreement with Alexander in this matter, opposed ARIUS and his doctrines. When, around 324, Hosius, acting on the orders of Constantine, came to Alexandria and convened a council of the bishops of Egypt, C., who in the meantime had usurped the episcopate, was deposed and declared to be merely a priest, while Ischyras, who claimed to have been ordained priest by him, was reduced to the lay state. The end of C. is unknown.
Bibl.: Hefele-Leclercq, I, I, p. 369; Fliche-Martin-Frutsz, III, pp. 72 and 82.