Abercius of Hieropolis

Bishop Abercius of Hieropolis, Equal-to-the-Apostles.

St. Abercius was Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia in the second century, called Equal-to-the-Apostles for his missionary zeal. He overthrew the idols of his city, brought multitudes to faith in Christ by his preaching and healings, and journeyed as far as Rome and the lands of the East, everywhere confirming the churches.

His famous epitaph, composed by the saint himself, speaks in veiled language of the Eucharist and the universal Church, and stands among the most precious monuments of early Christianity. He is commemorated on October 22.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Abercius of Hieropolis is commemorated on October 22. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on November 4 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Averikios, Averki

Also commemorated on October 22

• Alexander of Adrianople

  Hierarch, Αλέξανδρος ο Επίσκοπος

  Holy Hieromartyr Alexander, Bishop of Adrianople, and the martyrs Herakleios, Anna, Elizabeth, Theodote and Glykeria with him.

• Lot of Egypt

  Venerable, Λωτ

  Venerable Abba Lot of Egypt, one of the Desert Fathers.

• Rufus the Venerable

  Venerable, Ρούφος

  Venerable Rufus the Hermit.

• Gregory of Methone

  Hierarch, Γρηγόριος Μεθώνης

  Holy Ethno-Hieromartyr Gregory, Bishop of Methone, who suffered in the Greek War of Independence.

• Zacharias the Martyr

  Martyr, Ζαχαρίας ο Μάρτυς

  Holy Martyr Zacharias.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.