Epiphanius

Epiphanius (born 310 in Palestine, died on Cyprus 402) was a Church Father and strong defender of orthodoxy, known for tracking down deviant teachings (heresies) wherever they could be traced. During a visit to Palestine in 394 he attacked Origen's followers and urged the bishop of Jerusalem to condemn his writings.

He was installed as bishop in Salamis on Cyprus in 367. He was versed in several languages including Hebrew, Syriac, Egyptian, Greek and Latin.

His most well-known book is Panarion which means "Medicine-chest" (also known as Adversus Haereses), a handbook for dealing with heretics, listing 80 heretic doctrines, some of which he may have invented himself just to get the opportunity to oppose them. This book was only recently (1987) translated into English.

Printed Editions

• The Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis, Book 1 ISBN 9004079262

External Links

• Some excerpts from Panarion (http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/epiphanius.html)
• More excerpts (http://essenes.crosswinds.net/panarion.htm)