PIERIUS.
PIERIUS, a Priest and Catechist of Alexandria, Instructed the People of that Church under the Empire of Carus and Dioclesian, at the same time when Theonas was Bishop of that place. He composed several sorts of Treatises, that were extant in St. Jerome's time, with so much Eloquence, that he was called the young Origen. It is certain, he lived a very austere Life, and em∣braced a voluntary Poverty. He was excellently well skilled in Logick and Rhetorick. The Persecu∣tion being ended, he came to Rome, where he continued a considerable time. He wrote a great Ho∣mily upon Hosea, which he recited on Easter-Eve, wherein he takes notice, that in his time on Easter-Eve the People tarried in the Church till after Midnight. Photius tells us, That in this Homily he discoursed about the Cherubims that Moses placed over the Ark. The same Author read another Work composed by Pierius, but he does not acquaint us with the Title of it, that contained a dozen Volumes; in which, according to the Testimony of Photius, he has some particular Opinions different from those of the Church. His Doctrine upon the Trinity is Orthodox concerning the Persons of the Father and the Son, though he uses the Word Substance and Nature to signify a Person. But his manner of speak∣ing about the Holy Ghost is dangerous, and scarce Orthodox; because he says, That the Glory of the Latter is less than the Glory of the Father and the Son. Photius moreover adds, That he wrote a Book upon St. Luke's Gospel; in which he proves, That the Dis-respect shown to Images, falls back upon that which they represent. As for his Style, he tells us, It is clear, smooth and easie; that it is by no means elaborate, but flows equally and gently, as in Discourses composed Extempore; and that it is full of Enthymems.