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'''Timothy II Aelurus of Alexandria''' was a [[Monophysitism|Monophysite]], non-Chalcedonian, [[patriarch]] of the [[Church of Alexandria]] who occupied the patriarchal throne from 457 to 460 and from 475 to 477. As an intruder he occupied the throne in 454. He is commemorated in the [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic]] [[Synaxarion ]] on the 12th day of Amshir.
==Life==
Timothy Aelurus began his career as a [[monk]] in Alexandria under Patr. [[Dioscorus of Alexandria|Dioscorus]], rising to be [[ordination|ordained]] a [[priest]]. After Dioscorus was [[deposition|deposed]] as Patriarch of Alexandria at the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] and was succeeded by Patr. [[Proterius of Alexandria|Proterius]], Timothy was himself deposed and exiled to Libya. After the death of emperor [[Marcian]], Timothy returned to Alexandria in January 457 and began a practice of "creeping" among the cells of some monks at night, addressing them by name and saying "i am an [[Angels|angel]], sent to warn you to break off [[communion]] with Proterius and choose Timothy as bishop". Through these acts he acquired the epithet ''Aelurus'', in Greek Αίλυρος Αίλουρος - cat.
With a group of compatriots, Timothy took possession of the main [[church]] during the latter part of the [[Great Lent]] and then by two [[bishop]]s, who had been deposed and exiled by Patr. Proterius and his [[synod]], was [[consecration of a bishop|consecrated]] and then self-[[enthronement|enthroned]] himself while Proterius was with his [[clergy]] at his residence. After, quickly performing many episcopal acts, he was exiled by the "dux" Dionysius. Apparently in revenge, his supporters hunted down Patr. Proterius in the [[baptistry]] and murdered him.
In the face of his actions, the targeted bishops fled Alexandria to present their cases to emperor Leo I and [[patriarch]] in Constantinople. These were followed by bishops sent by Timothy to plead his cause that he and Alexandria held firm to the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed|Nicene Creed]], but do not accept the council and requested the summons of a new council. Leo, in turn, sent the memorials presented to him to the other patriarchs, 55 other bishops, and the leading [[monasticism|monastics]] for their opinions concerning Timothy's case. They almost unanimously condemned Timothy. In mid 460, emperor Leo directed Stilas, the "dux" in Alexandria, to expel Timothy and to convene the election of an Orthodox patriarch.
Timothy then proceeded to Constantinople claiming his adoption of the Chalcedon doctrine and so by hoped to retain his [[see]]. On [[June 17]], 460, Leo I of Rome wrote to emperor Leo and Patr. [[Gennadius I of Constantinople |Gennadius of Constantinople]] urging that Timothy was disqualified for having "invaded so great a see during the lifetime of its bishop". Then, Timothy was again exiled, first to Gangra and then to Chersonese. With the banishment of Timothy II in 460, the [[schism]] between the Chalcedonians and non-Chalcedonians became final after which the patriarchal appointments of the two churches diverged.
The Church of Alexandria was ruled peacefully for sixteen years under Patr. [[Timothy III Salofacioiusof Alexandria|Timothy III Salofacioius]]. In late 475, the new emperor Basiliscus, who had usurped the imperial throne from emperor [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno]], called Timothy Aelurus to Constantinople, who, while warmly welcomed by his admirers, was forbidden entry to the churches by Patr. [[Acacius of Constantinople|Acacius]] of Constantinople. Basiliscus, however, recognized him as the rightful bishop of Alexandria and condemned "the innovation in the faith which was made at Chalcedon". The Eutychians of Constantinople, however, were met with disappointment when Timothy said he accepted the statement Cyril had adopted at his reunion with John of Antioch that "the Incarnate Word was consubstantial with us, according to the flesh".
When Timothy Aelurus arrived back at Alexandria, he resumed the [[cathedra]], while the kindly and popular Timothy Salofacioius retired to his [[monastery]] in the Alexandria suburb called Canopus. Timothy Aelurus remained the patriarch for only a few years, reposing in late 477.
title=Patriarch of Alexandria|
years=457-460|
after=[[Timothy III Salofacioiusof Alexandria|Timothy Salofacioius]]}}
{{succession|
before=Timothy Salofacioius|
years=475-477|
after=Timothy Salofacioius}}
{{end box}}
==Sources==
*Henry Wace, D.D. & William C. Piercy Eds., A Dictionary of Early Christian Biography, ''Timotheus, called Aelurus'', Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., ISBN: 1-56563-460-8
*[[Wikipedia:Pope_Timothy_II_of_Alexandria]]
*[http://www.patriarchateofalexandria.com/index.php?module=content&cid=001003&id=104&lang=en Patriarchate Alexandria: Timotheos II, Ailuros (457-460)]
[[Category:Egyptian Saints|Timothy II Aelurus]]
[[Category:Non-Chalcedonian Saints]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Alexandria]]
