Ge'nnadius
1. The earlier of the two was a presbyter of the Church of Constantinople, and became bishop of that see,A. D. 459, on the decease of Anatolius [ANATOLIUS].
He was one of those who pressed the emperor Leo I., the Thracian, to punish Timothy Aelurus (or the Cat), who had occupied the see of Alexandria on the murder of Proterius, and his intervention was so far successful that Timothy was banished, A. D. 460.
He also opposed Peter Gnapheus (or the Fuller) who, under the patronage of Zeno, son-in-law of the emperor, and general of the Eastern provinces, had expelled Martyrius from the see of Antioch, and occupied his place. Gennadius honourably received Martyrius, who went to Constantinople. and succeeded in procuring the banishment of Peter, A. D. 464. Gennadius died. A. D. 471, and was succeeded by Acacius [ACACIUS, No.4]. Theodore Anagnostes (or the Reader) has preserved some curious particulars of Gennadias, whose death he seems to ascribe to the effect of a vision which he had while praying by night at the altar of his church.
He saw the Evil one, who declared to him that, though things would remain quiet in his lifetime, his death would be followed by the devastation of the Church, or, as Theophanes has it, by the predominance of the Devil in the Church.
Further Information
Evagr.
H. E. 2.11; Theod. Lect.
H. E. excerpta apud Niceph. Callist. 1.13-26; Theophan.
Chronog. vol. i. pp. 172-176, ed. bonn.
