Palladius of Helenopolis

Also: Palladius of Galatia

Born probably between 363 and 364, perhaps in Galatia (central Turkey, around Ankara). Died probably between 420 and 431; the place is not known.

A monk in Egypt and a friend of John Chrysostom, later a bishop in Asia Minor. His Lausiac History tells the stories of the desert monks and nuns he met.

Wrote in Greek. A major author.

Places lived

386 to 388Hierosolyma (Aelia Capitolina), now Jerusalemmonk on the Mount of Olivesyears probable
388 to 390Alexandria, Egyptmonkyears probable
390 to 391Nitria (now El Barnugi, Egypt)monkyears probable
391 to 399Kellia, west of the Nile delta, Egyptmonkyears probable
400 to 404Helenopolis (now Hersek, Turkey)bishopyears probable
406 to 408Syene (now Aswan, Egypt)exileyears probable
408 to 412Antinoopolis (now Sheikh Ibada, Egypt)exileyears probable
417 to 420Aspuna (near Sarıhüyük, Ankara province, Turkey)bishopyears not sure, place probable

Works

2 works, in the order they were written. 2 works can be read here.

Dialogue on the Life of John Chrysostomc. 406 to 408 · perhaps in Syene (now Aswan, Egypt) · dialogueA defence of John Chrysostom in the form of a talk at Rome.56,755 words
Lausiac History419 to 420 · place not known · historyStories of the monks and holy women he had met, written for the court official Lausus.53,545 words

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: Palladius, Lausiac History, prologue (in his 56th year when he wrote, 419 or 420)
Place of birth not sure: Palladius, Lausiac History 35
The source names the region only.
Died probable: Another man is bishop of Aspuna at the Council of Ephesus in 431
Place of death not known: No ancient source names a place.
Hierosolyma (Aelia Capitolina), years probable: Palladius, Lausiac History 44
Hierosolyma (Aelia Capitolina), place sure: Palladius, Lausiac History 44
Alexandria, years probable: Palladius, Lausiac History 1, 2 and 7
Alexandria, place sure: Palladius, Lausiac History 1, 2 and 7
Nitria, years probable: Palladius, Lausiac History 7
Nitria, place sure: Palladius, Lausiac History 7
Kellia, years probable: Palladius, Lausiac History 18 and 38 (nine years)
Kellia, place sure: Palladius, Lausiac History 18 and 38 (nine years)
Helenopolis, years probable: Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom 14; Socrates, Church History 7.36
Helenopolis, place sure: Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom 14; Socrates, Church History 7.36
Syene, years probable: Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom 20
Syene, place sure: Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom 20
Antinoopolis, years probable: Palladius, Lausiac History 58 to 60 (four years)
Antinoopolis, place sure: Palladius, Lausiac History 58 to 60 (four years)
Aspuna, years not sure: Socrates, Church History 7.36
Aspuna, place probable: Socrates, Church History 7.36