Marcellus (3)

Marcellus bishop OF APAMEA (1), in Syria, near the close of the 4th century, distinguished himself particularly by his zeal for the destruction of the heathen temples. He considered them as maintaining heathen tenenncies among the people. Having attempted to destroy the main temple of the city with the help of soldiers and gladiators, he was taken by the people and put. to death. His sons sought to avenge his death, but were restrained by the provincial synod, held in 391.

(2.) Another Marcellus of Apamea is mentioned, who is said to have lived in the 5th century. He was a native of Syria, of a wealthy family, and after the death of his parents went to Antioch, where he devoted himself to study. Dividing his fortune among the poor, he went to Ephesus, and there attempted to support himself by copying books. He subsequently joined abbot Alexander at Constantinople, and was afterwards chosen as his successor. To avoid this honor, Marcellus fled to a neighboring convent until another abbot had been selected, and then returned and was made deacon. The new abbot, named John, however, became jealous of his deacon, and obliged him to perform menial service. Marcellus cheerfully submitted; but after the death of John he was again appointed abbot. Under his direction the convent acquired such reputation that it had to be greatly enlarged, and other convents applied to be governed by pupils of Marcellus. He died in 485. See Fleury, Hist. ad a. 448; Herzog, Real- Encyklopädie, 9:25; Lardner, Works (see Index).