Today, October 16, the Church honors the memory of the Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagitetranslated

The memory of the famous theologian and martyr Dionysius the Areopagite (+ 96), Bishop of Athens, is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on October 16.

Saint Dionysius grew up in Athens, Greece, where he received his upbringing and classical Hellenic education. Subsequently, he visited Egypt, where he studied astronomy in the city of Iliopolis.

Together with his friend Apollophon, he witnessed a solar eclipse at the time of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it was Saint Dionysius who said the words on this occasion: “It is either God, the Creator of the whole world, who suffers, or this visible world ends.”

Upon returning to Athens, he was elected a member of the supreme Athenian court - the Areopagus, which is why he received his nickname Areopagite.

Dionysius turned to Christianity after he heard about the Savior from the holy Apostle Paul, who preached in the Athenian Areopagus (Acts 17: 16-34). For three years after this, Saint Dionysius was a companion of the Apostle Paul in preaching the word of God, and subsequently he made him bishop of Athens.

In the year 57, Saint Dionysius became one of those who were present at the burial of the Most Holy Theotokos.

After the death of the Apostle Paul, Dionysius the Areopagite successfully preached in Western...