Panarion

work by Epiphanius

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July 23, 2026

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The Panarion is a significant work by Saint Epiphanius of Constantia, a bishop in the early Christian church. Written between 374 and 377, it details 80 heresies and offers refutations, concluding with a statement of orthodox doctrine. Epiphanius was a zealous defender of Nicene orthodoxy and a strong opponent of beliefs he considered heretical, particularly those of Origen. While valuable for its historical and theological content, his writings are noted for lacking moderation and judgment. The Panarion is important as it preserves many otherwise unobtainable documents.12

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Saint Epiphanius of Constantia
…the chief work is the Panarion (374–377), an account of 80 heresies and their refutations, which ends with a statement of orthodox doctrine. His Ancoratus (374) is a compendium of the teachings of the church. His works are valuable as a source for the history of theological ideas.
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…the chief work is the Panarion (374–377), an account of 80 heresies and their refutations, which ends with a statement of orthodox doctrine. His Ancoratus (374) is a compendium of the teachings of the church. His works are valuable as a source for the history of theological ideas.
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patristic literature
The Cappadocian Fathers
…and his principal work, the Panarion (“Medicine Chest”), is a detailed examination of 80 heresies (20 of them pre-Christian); it is invaluable for the mass of otherwise unobtainable documents it excerpts. Conformably with Epiphanius’s contempt for classical learning, the work is written in Greek without any pretension to elegance. His…
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…and his principal work, the Panarion (“Medicine Chest”), is a detailed examination of 80 heresies (20 of them pre-Christian); it is invaluable for the mass of otherwise unobtainable documents it excerpts. Conformably with Epiphanius’s contempt for classical learning, the work is written in Greek without any pretension to elegance. His…
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