Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens, Rusticus the Presbyter and Eleutherius the Deacon (+96)

The Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite was a member of the Areopagus, the supreme court of Athens. The Apostle Paul converted him to Christianity, baptised him, and afterwards consecrated him bishop of Athens. After the death of the chief of the apostles, the blessed Dionysius, with Rusticus the presbyter and Eleutherius the deacon, set out to preach in the lands of the west, and converted many pagans to Christianity. In 96, in Gaul, in the city of Lutetia (the ancient name of Paris), the saints were seized and beheaded.

The writings of Dionysius the Areopagite have come down to us, and they are of immeasurable importance for the theology of the Orthodox Church.

Saint Dionysius is also commemorated on 4 January (his Life is included more fully in the reading for that day).