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Epiphanius of Salamis and the Panarion: The War Against Hebrew Believers

Explore His Legacy

Epiphanius of Salamis and the Panarion: The War Against Hebrew Believers

Epiphanius of Salamis was a Roman-aligned bishop who lived from approximately 310 to 403 AD. He was born in Judea but rose to power in Cyprus as a fierce defender of post-Nicene Roman Christianity. Around 374–377 AD, he wrote a massive work titled Panarion — meaning "Medicine Chest" — designed to combat what he called heresies.

In this work, Epiphanius lists 80 groups that he accuses of false teaching. Among those he targets are the Nazarenes and the Ebionites — two groups of Hebrew followers who kept the Torah, observed the Sabbath, rejected Greek philosophy, and still believed Yeshua was the promised one of Yhwh. These were not Gnostics or idolaters; they were Torah-obedient believers who had not accepted the changes being pushed by the Roman bishops.

In Panarion 29: The Nazarenes

Epiphanius writes about the Nazarenes in Panarion 29. He accuses them of:

His words confirm that these early followers never abandoned Yhwh’s Law. Instead, they held to both the written Torah and the teachings of Yeshua — without adopting Roman customs.

In Panarion 30–31: The Ebionites

In Panarion 30–31, Epiphanius writes about the Ebionites, describing them as:

He condemns the Ebionites for refusing to recognize Paul as a valid teacher. In his words, they called Paul “an apostate from the Law,” and they wanted nothing to do with Greek doctrine or Roman theology.

Epiphanius’s True Goal

Epiphanius treated these Torah-keeping communities not as misled brothers, but as dangerous enemies to be eradicated. His Panarion was used to justify the destruction of Hebrew scrolls, the silencing of original believers, and the rewriting of what became “orthodox” doctrine. His goal was to purge the faith of everything rooted in the Law of Yhwh and replace it with Roman interpretation.

The Panarion is one of the most direct and hostile attacks on the original followers of The Way. It proves beyond question that Sabbath-keeping, Torah-obedient believers existed long after 100 AD, and that they were persecuted not because they sinned — but because they refused to bow to Rome.

What Epiphanius saw as a disease was actually the remnant of Yhwh’s true people, still walking in obedience.

Epiphanius of Salamis: Biography

🧬 Early Life and Monastic Foundations

Born near Eleutheropolis in Palestine, Epiphanius was raised in a Hellenized Jewish environment. He was multilingual, reportedly fluent in Hebrew, Syriac, Egyptian, Greek, and Latin. In his youth, he embraced monasticism, studying in Egypt and later founding a monastery near his hometown, which he led for approximately 30 years.

🧭 Bishop of Salamis and Ecclesiastical Influence

In 367 AD, Epiphanius was appointed bishop of Salamis (also known as Constantia) in Cyprus, a position he held until his death. As bishop, he became a central figure in the Church of Cyprus, promoting monasticism and engaging in theological disputes. He was known for his unwavering commitment to Nicene orthodoxy and his opposition to Arianism and Origenism.

📚 Major Works

Epiphanius’s most well-known work is the Panarion (“Medicine Chest”), written between 374 and 377 AD. It cataloged and refuted 80 heresies, from early Greek philosophies to contemporary Christian sects. The Panarion remains a key historical source for identifying early Jewish-Christian groups like the Nazarenes and Ebionites, whom Epiphanius viewed as dangerous.

He also wrote the Ancoratus, a catechetical work that addressed theological questions and outlined statements of faith, and On Weights and Measures, which included biblical measurements and historical-geographic data.

⚔️ Theological Controversies and Legacy

Epiphanius was a fierce critic of Origen and took part in multiple theological disputes, even clashing with other church leaders such as John Chrysostom. In 403 AD, he died at sea while returning from Constantinople, where he had been involved in one of these disputes.

Though criticized for his extreme views and harsh tactics, he is recognized as a saint by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, with his feast day observed on May 12. His works remain valuable for exposing the internal battles within early Christianity and the aggressive suppression of Hebrew-rooted believers.

⚔️ Epiphanius of Salamis: The Bishop Who Helped Erase the Hebrew Faith

Epiphanius wasn’t just a writer or church leader — he was a Roman enforcer. From around 374–403 AD, he played a major role in identifying, targeting, and helping to wipe out the original Hebrew believers who still followed Yhwh’s Law.

He used his power to silence Torah-keepers, labeling them as heretics in his book Panarion. This wasn’t a harmless book — it was used as a blueprint to:

Epiphanius didn’t just “disagree” with these groups — he treated them like a disease. He claimed they had to be “healed” — by force if needed — and replaced with Roman doctrine.

By the late 4th century, his influence helped turn Roman Christianity into a weapon against the Law of Yhwh. Faithful believers were erased, rewritten, or hunted down.

📜 Conclusion

Epiphanius was not a guardian of truth. He was a tool of the Roman Church — and a key figure in the destruction of the original Hebrew Way. His legacy is not one of faith, but of persecution, censorship, and the loss of the pure path Yhwh gave His people.