Paulianists (followers of Paul of Samosata)
Paulianistai, Samosatenes
c. 260 – 4th century
attested. Attested. His actual Christology is debated because the trial fragments are partly of uncertain authenticity.
Hostile sources only. No writing from inside this group is known. Teachings and morals here are the opponents' account unless another source confirms them.
Leaders
- Paul of Samosata (bishop of Antioch c. 260–268)
Beliefs
As reported by opponents, the divine Word or Wisdom dwelt in the man Jesus as in a temple, rather than becoming personally incarnate, and Jesus was 'from below'. Paul was also accused of worldly pomp and of having hymns sung to himself.
Home bases
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Antioch (Menander, Saturninus; Paul of Samosata)
Antakya, Turkey · 1st–3rd
Irenaeus names Menander, Simon's disciple, and Saturninus as teachers at Antioch in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries. In the 260s Bishop Paul of Samosata of Antioch was condemned by synods for teaching that the Word dwelt in the man Jesus rather than being personally incarnate. He refused to leave the church building until the emperor Aurelian intervened in 272.
Own work; original file by Cristiano64. Data appears to be taken from Committee for the Excavation of Antioch-on-the-Orontes (1936) Map of Ancient Antioch or a derivative work thereof.. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThis photograph shows the modern city, or the Wikipedia lead subject, rather than the ancient site itself.
Spread
Antioch and Syria.
Books
None linked.
What happened to it
Deposed by an Antiochene synod (268/269). He held the church house until Aurelian ruled in 272 that it belonged to whoever was in communion with the bishops of Italy and Rome. Nicaea (canon 19) required Paulianists to be rebaptized.
Hostile sources
Eusebius of Caesarea. Church History VII.27–30 (synodal letter) c. 313–325
Hostile toward heresies; quotes earlier documents verbatim. NPNF translation (public domain).
Council of Nicaea. Canon 19 325
Hostile.
Their own words
No insider source is known.
Sources
- Paul of SamosataConfessional source
Catholic Encyclopedia 1913 (confessional). Accessed 2026-11-11.
- Paul of Samosata
Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-11-11.