A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

7. Presbyter of Caesareia, in Palestine, saint and martyr, and also celebrated for his friendship with Eusebius, who, as a memorial of this intimacy, assumed the surname of Παμφίλου. [EUSEBIUS.]

He was probably born at Berytus, of an honourable and wealthy family. Having received his early education in his native city, he proceeded to Alexandria, where he attended the instrnctions structions of Pierius, the head of the catechetical school. Afterwards, but at what time we are not informed, he became a presbyter under Agapius

the bishop of Caesareia in Palestine. In the fifth year of the persecution under Diocletian, towards the end of the year A. D. 307, he was thrown into prison by Urbanus, the governor of Palestine, for refusing to sacrifice to the heathen deities. Eusebius attended upon him most affectionately during his imprisonment, which lasted till the l6th of February, 309, when he suffered martyrdom by the command of Firmilianus, the successor of Urbanus.

The life of Pamphilus seems to have been entirely devoted to the cause of biblical literature, and of a free theology, but more especially the former: he was an ardent admirer and follower of Origen. Jerome tells us that he was always ready to show his friendship for studious men, and to supply their wants; and that he multiplied copies of the Holy Scriptures to such an extent that he was able not only to lend, but to give them away. He formed, at Caesareia, a most valuable public library, chiefly of ecclesiastical authors, a catalogue of which was contained in the lost work of Eusebius on the life of Pamphilus. Not only did the writings of Origen occupy an important place in this library, but the greater part of them were transcribed by Pamphilus with his own hand, as we learn from Jerome, who used these very copies. Perhaps the most valuable of the contents of this library were the Tetrapla and Hexapla of Origen, from which Pamphilus, in conjunction with Eusebius, formed a new recension of the Septuagint, numerous copies of which were put into circulation. Among the other treasures of this library was a copy of the so-called Hebrew text of the gospel of St. Matthew, as used by the Nazarenes. There is still extant one MS., if not two, which some suppose to have been transcribed by Pamphilus for his library (Montfaucon, Bibl. Coisl. p. 251; Proleg. ad Orig. Hexapl. pp. 14, 76.). The library is supposed to have been destroyed at the taking of Caesareia by the Arabs, in the seventh century. Another eminent service which Pamphilus rendered to the Christians of Caesareia, was the foundation of a theological school, in which the exposition of the Scriptures formed the chief study.

[P.S]