2nd century (martyred c. 161–180, in the persecution under Marcus Aurelius, per Eastern Orthodox dating)
A bishop of Athens, counted by the synaxarion among the Seventy and successor to Dionysius the Areopagite, who shepherded the Athenian church and was martyred for the faith.
The Holy Hieromartyr Publius, Bishop of Athens
Publius was an early Christian bishop of Athens, counted by the Eastern Orthodox synaxarion among the Seventy and remembered as a successor in the Athenian episcopate who shepherded the church there before suffering martyrdom in the second century.
Orthodox tradition describes him as a disciple of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite and, according to the Orthodox Church in America, as the successor of Saint Narcissus as bishop of Athens; Western (Catholic) tradition instead places him directly in succession to Dionysius the Areopagite.
The same figure is widely identified with Publius of Malta, the chief of that island who, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, received the Apostle Paul after his shipwreck. Because of this dual association he is venerated in the West as one of the patron saints of Malta.
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,
you became a successor to their throne.
Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God;
by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith,
even to the shedding of your blood.
Hieromartyr Publius, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
The Orthodox Church in America records that Publius served as Bishop of Athens during the second century, following Saint Narcissus in that see, and was numbered among the Seventy Apostles and counted a disciple of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite.
He is remembered as a good shepherd who ruled his flock faithfully and ultimately gave his life for it, dying as a martyr (hieromartyr) for the Christian faith.
Multiple sources identify the Bishop of Athens with Publius of Malta, described as the first bishop of Malta and the chief of that island. The Acts of the Apostles records that this Publius received the Apostle Paul during his shipwreck on Malta; the account relates that Paul visited Publius's father, who was ill, and after praying laid his hands on him and healed him.
On account of this association, Publius is venerated as one of the three patron saints of Malta, together with the Apostle Paul and Saint Agatha of Sicily.
Sources differ on the date of his death, variously given as around 112, around 125, or in the years 161–180. The Eastern Orthodox dating follows an epistle of Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, which places his martyrdom in the period of the persecution under the emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161–180). The Catholic tradition, placing him as successor of Dionysius the Areopagite, dates his martyrdom to around 112.
The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates him on March 13, while the Catholic Church observes his feast on January 22.
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