Acathius of Melitene
Saint Acathius (died c. 437, also known as Acacius or Achates) was bishop of Melitene (now is Malatya in modern Turkey) in the third century, although he is occasionally given as bishop of Antioch.[1] Melitene was capital of the Roman Province of Second Armenia.
Saint Acathius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | unknown ? |
| Died | c. 251 ? |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | varies, generally 31 March |
| Attributes | crown of thorns |
Life
He lived in the time of the persecution of Decius, and although it is certain that he was cited before the tribunal of Marcian to give an account of his faith, it is not certain that he died for it. He was indeed condemned to death, but his prudence and constancy so impressed the Emperor as to obtain his discharge from custody after he had undergone considerable suffering.[2]
He was famous both for the splendour of his doctrinal teaching and the miracles he wrought.[3] The Eastern Orthodox Church venerates him on different days, but especially on 31 March. He had also a name of Agathangelos, that means "good angel".[4]
There was a later Acacius, who was also Bishop of Melitene, and who was conspicuous as an opponent of Nestorius at the Council of Ephesus and was unjustly deposed by his flock after opposing Nesorius.[5] He exchanged letters with Cyril of Alexandria and died sometime after 437.[6] His feast day is on 17 April.
References
- Butler, Alban (1886). "St. Acacius, or Achates, Bishop of Antioch, in Asia Minor, Confessor". The Lives of the Saints.
- Monks of Ramsgate. “Acacius”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 30 April 2012
- Campbell, Thomas. "St. Acacius." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 6 June 2018
- Den hellige Akakios Agathangelos av Melitene ( -~251)in Latin Retrieved on 27 March 2018
- Basil Watkins (19 November 2015). The Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 97. ISBN 9780567664150.
- Krüger, G. "Acacius of Melitene". In Schaff, Philip (ed.). New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Acacius". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.