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Lucius of Alexandria

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an Arian prelate, flourished about the middle of the 4th century. He was elected patriarch by the Arians, when, upon the death of the emperor Constantius (361) and the murder of the Arian patriarch, George of Cappadocia, Athanasius had recovered the patriarchate of Alexandria, and expelled the Arians from the churches. Even in the lifetime of Athanasius the two patriarchs wrangled much for authority, but the contest became fierce between Arian and Orthodox after the decease of Athanasius (373). The latter had nominated his successor without any regard to Lucius, and it was only after the deposition and imprisonment of Peter, the nominee, who had in the mean while been ordained, that Lucius regained the patriarchate, to hold it only until Peter, who had made his escape to Rome, returned with letters confirming his ordination (A.D. 377 or 378). Lucius was, in all probability, never again restored. In 380 he is found in company with Demophilus, Arian patriarch of Constantinople, just as he was withdrawing from the city by order of expulsion. Nothing more is known of Lucius. According to Jerome, he wrote Solemnes de Paschate Epistolae and minor treatises. See Socrates, Hist. Eccles. 3:4; 4:21 sq., 24, 37; Cave, Hist. Litt. ad ann. 371; Fabricius, Bibl. Graeca, 9:247; Labbe, Concilii, volume 6, col. 313; Smith, Dict. of Gr. and Rom. Biog. 2:825.