Apollonius (correspondent of Isidore of Pelusium)

Apollonius is known chiefly as a correspondent of Isidore of Pelusium (d. c. 450), with thirteen letters addressed to him surviving in Isidore's collection; in the milieu of Pelusium and the eastern Nile Delta in the early-to-mid 5th century. Several of these letters address him explicitly as "Apollonius, bishop," and Isidore treats him as a fellow holder of the teacher's chair, reminding him that one seated to preside over a contest must himself remain a contestant in virtue and not merely proclaim the victories of others. The remaining letters are pastoral and exegetical: counsel on keeping almsgiving free of reproach, on the blessedness of being reviled for Christ's sake, on reconciling quickly after insults, and explanations of scriptural sayings such as the grain of mustard seed (Matthew 13) and "You shall not pity a poor man in a lawsuit" (Exodus 23:3). Beyond what these letters reveal of his episcopal office and his role as recipient of Isidore's spiritual and theological direction, he is otherwise unattested.