Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Paphnutius, bishop in Upper Thebias
Paphnutius (2), bp. in Upper Thebias, who suffered mutilation and banishment
for the faith (Socr. H. E. i. 11; Theod. H. E. i. 7). At the council
of Nicaea a.d. 325, he was much honoured as a confessor, specially by Constantine
(Socr. u.s.), and earnestly opposed the enforcement of the law of clerical
celibacy, on the ground of both principle and expediency, and prevailed (ib.).
He closely adhered to the cause of St. Athanasius, and attended him at the council
of Tyre, a.d. 335. Rufinus (H. E. i. 17), followed by Sozomen (H. E.
ii. 25), tells a dramatic story of his there reproaching Maximus of Jerusalem for
being in Arian company and explaining to him the exact position of affairs. Fleury,
H. E. xv. c. 26; Ceill. Aut. sacr. iii. 420, 450; Boll. Acta SS.
Sept. 11, iii. 778.
[J.G.]