Difference between revisions of "Demetrius"

<p> There are two, if not three, persons of this name mentioned in the NT-a fact which is not surprising, considering how very common the name was in the Greek world. </p> <p> 1. Demetrius, the silversmith of Ephesus (Acts 19). A business man, profoundly interested in the success of his business, Demetrius was a manufacturer of various objects in silver, of which the most profitable were small silver models of the shrine of the [[Ephesian]] goddess [[Artemis]] (see Diana). These models were purchased by the rich, dedicated to the goddess, and hung up within her temple. The preaching of St. Paul was so powerful that devotion to the goddess became less prevalent, the demand for such offerings was reduced, and Demetrius felt his livelihood in danger. He called a meeting of the gild of his handicraft to decide on a means for coping with the new situation. The meeting ended in a public disturbance. Nothing is known of the later life of Demetrius. </p> <p> 2. Demetrius, an important member of the church referred to in the Second and Third [[Epistles]] of St. John. It is impossible to identify the church with certainty, but there can be little doubt that it was in the province of Asia. The presbyter-overseer of the church is absent, and in his absence [[Gaius]] and Demetrius act in the truest interest of the members. Demetrius’ good conduct (&nbsp;3 John 1:12) is attested by all. </p> <p> 3. The full name of Demas (&nbsp;Colossians 4:14, &nbsp;2 Timothy 4:10, &nbsp;Philemon 1:24) may very well have been Demetrius (possibly Demodorus, Demodotus); see Demas. </p> <p> Literature.-See [[W. M]]  Ramsay’s lifelike picture of the scene at Ephesus in his <i> St. Paul the [[Traveller]] and the Roman [[Citizen]] </i> , London, 1895, p. 277ff. The best list of pet-names is found in [[A. N]]  Jannaris, <i> An [[Historical]] Greek Grammar </i> , do. 1897, § 287. </p> <p> A. Souter. </p>

<p> <b> Demetrius (2) </b> succeeded Julianus A.D. 189, as 11th bp. of [[Alexandria]] (Eus. <i> [[H. E]]  </i> v. 22). He presided over the see for 43 years, and died a.d. 231-232 ( <i> ib. </i> vi. 26). He appears to have been of an energetic and imperious nature. He took an active interest in the Catechetical School, and is said to have sent one of its early chiefs, Pantaenus, on a [second?] mission "to the Indians" on their own request (Hieron. <i> de Vir. Ill. </i> 36). After [[Clement]] had left Alexandria, he placed [[Origen]] at its head, <i> c. </i> 203 (Eus. <i> [[H. E]]  </i> vi. 5), and strenuously encouraged him to continue his work, when his indiscreet zeal had exposed him to misrepresentation ( <i> ib. </i> vi. 8). Later (a.d. 217), he sent Origen to the Roman governor of Arabia, at the governor's earnest invitation ( <i> ib. </i> vi. 19). Origen fulfilled his mission satisfactorily, but not long afterwards Demetrius's friendship for him was interrupted. [See Origen.] According to a late, and not very trustworthy, authority, Demetrius is reported to have written letters on the keeping of Easter, maintaining the view adopted at Nicaea (Eutychius, <i> Ann. </i> pp. 363 ff.; Migne, <i> Patrol. </i> vol. cxi.). Other legendary stories of his life are given in the <i> Chronicon Orientale </i> (pp. 72 f. ed 1685), and more briefly by Tillemont ( <i> Mémoires </i> , Origène, art. vii. tom. iii. p. 225, ed. Bruxelles). </p> <p> The statement that Demetrius first changed the singular ecclesiastical arrangement of Egypt, by appointing three bishops in addition to the bp. of Alexandria, who had formerly governed the whole province, is probably correct, though the only direct authority for it is that of Eutychius, patriarch of Alexandria, in the 10th cent. (cf. Lightfoot, <i> Philippians </i> , p. 230). Possibly this change was due to special views on church government, which may have influenced Demetrius in his harsh judgment on the ordination of Origen beyond the limits of his jurisdiction. </p> <p> [B.F.W.] </p>