Amphilochius of Iconium

Who is Amphilochius of Iconium?

Amphilochius of Iconium was a Christian bishop of the fourth century, son of a Cappadocian family of distinction. His father was an eminent lawyer, and his mother Livia remarkable for gentleness and wisdom.

He was probably first cousin to Gregory of Nazianzus, and was brought up in the peculiarly religious atmosphere of the Christian aristocracy of his native province. He studied law in Antioch with Libanius, practised at Constantinople, but soon retired to lead a religious life in the vicinity of his friend and relative, the "theologian" of Nazianzus.

He was soon drawn within the circle of influence around Basil of Caesarea, and seems to have been for a while a member of the Christian "City of the Poor" that Basil had built at Cæsarea. Early in 374 he was bishop of the important see of Iconium, probably placed there by Basil, whom he continued to aid in Cappadocian ecclesiastical affairs until Basil's death. Thenceforth he remained in close relations with Gregory of Nazianzus, and accompanied him to the Council of Constantinople, where Jerome met and conversed with him.