Saint Severus

Severus of Antioch, also known as Severus of Gaza and nicknamed the Crown of Syrians, was the Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church from 512 until his death in 538. Born in Sozopolis, he studied grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy in Alexandria, Egypt, before traveling to Phoenicia to study law. Severus became a monk at the monastery of Peter the Iberian near Maiuma, where he immersed himself in the works of Church Fathers. After his baptism at the Church of Saint Leontius, he was elected as the Patriarch of Antioch following a synod in Laodicea, Syria, in 512. Severus affirmed the Councils of Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus but condemned the Council of Chalcedon and the Tome of Leo.

Justin I ordered his arrest and tongue cutting for refusing to accept the Chalcedonian Creed; Severus fled to Alexandria where he continued to be recognized as the legitimate Patriarch by non-Chalcedonians. He resided in Sakha until his death on 5 February 538, after which his body was moved to Zogag monastery. Severus is venerated as a saint in the Oriental Orthodox Church with his feast day celebrated on 29 September by the Syriac Orthodox Church and 8 February by the Coptic Orthodox Church.