Biography.guide
Home › People › Eastern Orthodox priest › Timothy II of Alexandria
Portrait of Timothy II of Alexandria

Timothy II of Alexandria

Pope of the Coptic church

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Timothy II of Alexandria

Timothy II of Alexandria was a Byzantine and Egyptian eastern Orthodox priest and patriarch.

Pope Timothy II of Alexandria (died 477), also known as Timothy Ailuros or Timotheus Ælurus (from Greek Αἴλουρος, "cat", because of his small build or in this case probably "weasel" ), succeeded twice in supplanting the Chalcedonian patriarch of Alexandria.

Before he became a bishop, Timothy was a monk at the Eikoston. He was elected and consecrated after the death of the exiled Dioscorus of Alexandria in 454 by the Miaphysite opponents of the Council of Chalcedon and became a rival of the pro-Chalcedon bishop Proterius.

According to pro-Chalcedon sources, after Proterius of Alexandria was installed as patriarch after the Council of Chalcedon, he was murdered at Timothy's instigation at the baptistery during Easter. In the Anti-Chalcedon Sources, Proterius was murdered on the order of the Byzantine General in Charge of Egypt after a heated exchange

In 460, Emperor Leo I expelled him from Alexandria and installed the Chalcedonian Timothy III Salophakiolos as patriarch.

In 475, Timothy was brought back to Alexandria by Basiliscus, where he ruled as patriarch until his death. According to John of Nikiu, the emperor Zeno sent an officer to summon him, but when the officer arrived, Timothy told him "The emperor will not see my face" and immediately fell ill and died.

Timothy gave his name to the sect of Christians who came to be known as the Timotheans, or alternatively, the sect of Ælurus.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
Egypt
Positions held
Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Alexandria
Also known as
Timotheos Ailuros, Timotheos II Ailuros, Timotheos, Timotéu II d'Alexandría

Frequently asked questions

Who was Timothy II of Alexandria?

Pope of the Coptic church

When was Timothy II of Alexandria born?

Timothy II of Alexandria was born in Egypt.

What was Timothy II of Alexandria's occupation?

Timothy II of Alexandria was an eastern Orthodox priest and patriarch.

What nationality was Timothy II of Alexandria?

Timothy II of Alexandria was Byzantine and Egyptian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Timothy II of Alexandria

· Wikidata: Q1270439

· DBpedia: Timothy II of Alexandria

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Timothy II of Alexandria. https://biography.guide/timothy-ii-of-alexandria/

MLA: "Timothy II of Alexandria." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/timothy-ii-of-alexandria/.

Chicago: "Timothy II of Alexandria." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/timothy-ii-of-alexandria/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:28 UTC