Biography Pantaenus

silk road map showing ancient trade routes

in addition work teacher, eusebius of caesarea reports pantaenus time missionary, traveling far india where, according eusebius, found christian communities using gospel of matthew written in hebrew letters , supposedly left them apostle bartholomew (and might have been gospel of hebrews). may indicate syrian christians, using syriac version of new testament, had evangelized parts of india late 2nd century. however, writers have suggested having difficulty language of saint thomas christians, pantaenus misinterpreted reference mar thoma (the aramaic term meaning saint thomas), credited bringing christianity india in 1st century syrian churches, bar tolmai (the hebrew name of bartholomew). noted ancient seaport muziris on malabar coast (modern-day kerala in india) frequented egyptians in centuries ad.

saint jerome (c. 347 – 30 september 420), apparently relying entirely on eusebius evidence historia ecclesiastica, wrote pantaenus visited india, “to preach christ brahmans , philosophers there.” unlikely jerome has information pantaenus mission india independent of eusebius. on other hand, claim many of pantaenus biblical commentaries still extant based on jerome s own knowledge.

his feast day july 7 (june 22 in coptic tradition).