Icon Saint Dionysius the Areopagite

Saint Dionysius came from the city of Athens. He lived and martyred during the years when Dometian was emperor. He was distinguished for his philosophical training and his deep culture.

He was originally a pagan and a member of the Supreme Court. But the preaching of the Apostle Paul touched his educated and sensitive soul and he was baptized. He later succeeded the pious Jerotheos to the episcopal throne of Athens. He was rewarded by God for his Christian activity with the gift of performing miracles.

He travelled to many parts of the West, where he preached the gospel and interpreted the sacred scriptures. When he arrived in Paris he was arrested and later beheaded. Two of his disciples, Rusticus and Eleftherios, were martyred with him. The ruler of the region gave orders that no one should bury the martyrs’ holy remains, but some Christians kept them and when there was no longer any fear, they were buried with honour.

In the opinion of Michael I. Galanos, “in the synaxaria, however, and in the Menaion itself in the observance of the third of October, the historical… truth” (Galanou I. Michael, The Lives of the Saints, not October, Athens 1951, p. 22). According to the above author, the view, according to which St. Dionysius the Areopagite was martyred in Paris, is incorrect.

Saint Dionysius was the author of numerous theological writings, from which we quote in translation some of his words on the Holiness, Kingdom and Lordship of God: “Holiness, then, in our opinion, is purity, untainted by any impurity, complete and wholly untainted. Kingdom is the settling of every boundary, every order, regulation, condition . Lordship is not only superiority over the worst, but also the totality of good and good things and complete full possession, as well as true and unchanging assurance. That is why lordship is etymologically derived from” prestige “and” master “and” lord “. Divinity is the providence that sees all things and with perfect goodness” enfolds “(contains) and continues all things, fills them with itself and excels all things that enjoy the gifts of its providence” (Dionysius Areopagitou, “On Divine Names”. P. Pournaro editions).

We do not have more and more specific historical information about the life of Saint Dionysius, apart from the few we have mentioned above. The rest that some Synaxarists mention belong to the context of tradition alone.

Following the encyclical of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, dated 22/30 September 1999, the memory of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite was included to be celebrated additionally on October 12th, when the Assembly of Saints in Athens was designated to be celebrated.