GENNADIO da MARSIGLIA. - A priest of Marseilles, who lived in the second half of the 5th century and died between 492 and 505. Nothing further is known about his life. His surviving works present him as a conscientious and sincere historian. The De viris illustribus is a valuable guide to Christian literature of the 4th-5th centuries, more reliable than that of s. Gerolamo, which he continues. The poorly preserved text contains lacunae and interpolations. Chapters 92 to 100 are by another hand. In it, G. shows some adherence to Semi-Pelagian doctrines. The De ecclesiasticis dogmatibus is usually identified with the letter to Pope Gelasio (Epistola de fide mea), in which he sets forth his doctrinal positions. The final chapter of the De viris illustribus, devoted to G. himself, lists other writings now lost.
Gennadius of Marseille
BIBL.: Edition of the writings: PL 58, 979-1120; E. C. Richardson (Texte und Untersuchungen, 14), Lipsia 1896; Bardenhewer, IV, pp. 595-99; G. Morin, Le liber dogmatum de G. M., in Revue bénédictine, 24 (1907), pp. 445-58; A. Feder, Der Semipelagianismus im Schriftstellerkatalog des G. von M., in Scholastik, 2 (1927), pp. 481-514; 3 (1928), pp. 234-43; Moricea, III, pp. 966-76.
Cite this article
“GENNADIO DA MARSIGLIA.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. VI (1951), p. 30. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/gennadio-da-marsiglia.