Little is known of Theophilus’ life prior to his election as a successor of Timotheus of Alexandria upon the latter’s death on Jul 20, 385 CE. In the 7th century CE, John of Nikiu identified Memphis as the city where Theophilus was born and brought up (Nik. Chron. 79). Around 370 CE, he was probably serving as a deacon under Athanasius of Alexandria, which would mean that Theophilus’ active ministry at Alexandria spanned more than four decades until his death on Oct 15, 412 CE (Socr. Hist. ec…