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St. Severus was born around 459 in Sozopolis, Pisidia (modern day Turkey). His paternal grandfather, also named Severus, was [[Metropolitan ]] of Sozopolis and in that capacity attended the [[Third Ecumenical Council|Council of Ephesus]] in 431. Before St. Severus' birth his grandfather had a vision in which he was told that his grandson would strengthen Orthodoxy.

Following the death of his father, a senator in Sozopolis, St. Severus left Pisidia for Egypt, where he studied grammar and rhetoric together with the Greek and Latin languages in Alexandria. It was in Alexandria that he was introduced to and fell in love with the writings of StsSs. [[Basil the Great]] and [[Gregory of Nazianzus]]. In 486 St. Severus moved to Beirut to study philosophy and Roman jurisprudence and in 488 he was baptized in nearby Tripoli, having not been previously baptized as it was a custom in Pisidia at that time not to baptize boys until they had at least come of age.

After his [[baptism ]] St. Severus became increasingly [[asceticism|ascetic ]] in his daily life, eventually becoming a [[monk ]] at St. Romanus' Monastery in Maiuma, Palestine. He later retreated into the desert near Eleutheropolis before founding a [[monastery ]] for his disciples [[disciple]]s in Maiuma. The Saint lived there in peace until the coming of Nephalius to Gaza in 508. Nephalius had previously led a faction of the Eutychian heretics [[heretic]]s before accepting Chalcedon and promptly began attacking St. Severus after his arrival in the area, eventually securing the expulsion of the Saint and his followers from their monasteries.

When Patriarch Flavian II of Antioch was deposed in 512 St. Severus was elected Patriarch of Antioch, being [[enthronement|enthroned ]] on [[November 6 November ]], 512. Following the rise to power of Emperor [[Justinian I]] the Saint was summoned to Constantinople, where the emperor attempted to persuade him to accept [[Chalcedon]]. When St. Severus refused the emperor ordered him to be killed, but he was saved by St. [[Theodora (wife of Justinian)|Theodora]], the emperor's wife, who was the daughter of a [[priest ]] from Syria and an opponent of Chalcedon. At her urging St. Severus fled the capital, after which Emperor Justinian declared him [[deposition|deposed ]] and in 518 placed a supporter of Chalcedon on the patriarchal throne of Antioch.

St. Severus fled Constantinople for Egypt, where he met with Pope [[Timothy II Aelurus of Alexandria|Timothy II]] and took refuge in a number of different monasteries disguised as a simple monk. Throughout his travels in Egypt St. Severus preached the Orthodox Faith and strengthened the faithful in their resistance to Chalcedon and Eutychianism. He also wrote many books and letters against heresies. Although he wrote in Greek his writings have been primarily preserved in Syriac.

In 535 St. Severus returned to Constantinople to discuss the reunification of the Church with Emperor Justinian. During his stay in the city he brought Patriarch [[Anthimus I of Constantinople|Anthimus]] of Constantinople to reject Chalcedon, but the [[schism ]] as a whole was unable to be healed at that time and in 536 the emperor had St. Severus formally [[excommunication|excommunicated ]] by the hierarchs who favored Chalcedon on false charges.

Upon returning to Egypt, St. Severus settled in the home of a layman, Dorotheus, in the city of Sakha and continued to teach and work many miracles. On [[February 8 February ]], 538 he fell asleep in the Lord. His [[relics ]] were then translated to the Monastery of el-Zugag to the west of Alexandria, working many signs and wonders in the process.

St. Severus is commemorated by the Syriac Orthodox Church on February 8 February and on the Thursday following the [[Fast of Nineveh]].