Saint Apollonius
Martyr (+ v. 186)
Patricien romain, il fut
sommé de rendre raison de la foi qui était la sienne. Comme c'était un
personnage considérable et des plus cultivés, les philosophes vinrent écouter
le rapport qu'il lut devant le Sénat. Il fut traité avec beaucoup d'égards,
mais ce rapport lui valut un procès où il affirma "prier Dieu tous les
jours pour l'empereur qui règne sur la terre par la seule volonté divine."
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/6601/Saint-Apollonius.html
LES ACTES DE SAINT
APOLLONIUS. À ROME, VERS 183
Apollonius, qui fut mis à
mort sous Commode, appartenait à l’aristocratie romaine. Eusèbe raconte son
martyre et saint Jérôme lui donne le titre de sénateur. La découverte récente
des actes authentiques permet de compléter ces détails. Apollonius paraît avoir
été dénoncé comme chrétien par un délateur, il fut traduit par Perennia, préfet
du prétoire, devant le Sénat. Eusèbe avait induit saint Jérôme à penser qu’en
cette circonstance Apollonius présenta au Sénat, pour sa défense, une apologie
en règle du christianisme. Cette pièce n’a probablement jamais existé. Mais ce
qui a pu donner lieu à cette imagination, c’est la longueur des discours
d’Apollonius tels que nous les ont conservés les actes. Trois jours après la
comparution devant le Sénat il fut interrogé par le préfet seul. Il persista
dans sa confession et fut condamné à être décapité.
MARTYRE DU SAINT ASCÈTE
APOLLONIUS
Le Christ, qui donne
toutes choses, prépare une couronne de justice aux hommes de bonne volonté qui
se tiennent attachés fermement à la foi en Dieu ; quant aux élus de Dieu, ils
sont appelés à lui afin que, ayant livré le bon combat avec courage, ils
obtiennent la réalisation des promesses qu’un Dieu, ennemi du mensonge, a
faites à ceux qui l’aiment et qui croient en lui de toute leur âme.
L’un d’entre eux fut le
saint martyr et vaillant champion du Christ, Apollonius. Il passa à Rome une
existence remplie par les exercices de la piété et de l’ascèse, et, impatient
de posséder le gage de sa vocation, il fut au nombre de ceux qui rendirent
témoignage à Jésus-Christ ; ce qu’il fit en présence du Sénat et du préfet
Terentius. Il s’exprima avec une grande hardiesse. Voici le procès-verbal de sa
déposition.
Le préfet donna ordre
d’introduire Apollonius devant le Sénat, il lui dit : « Apollonius, pourquoi
résistes-tu aux lois invincibles et, aux décrets des empereurs et refuses-tu de
sacrifier aux dieux ? »
Apollonius : « Parce que
je suis chrétien, c’est pourquoi je crains Dieu qui a fait le ciel et la terre
et je ne sacrifie pas aux faux dieux.
Le préfet : « Tu dois te
repentir de ces pensées à cause des édits des empereurs, et prêter serment par
la fortune de Commode. »
Apollonius : « Ecoutez
maintenant l’exposé de ma conduite. Celui qui regrette ses actions justes et
vertueuses est impie et n’a pas d’espérance ; celui au contraire qui se repent
de ses actions contraires aux lois et de ses pensées coupables et n’y retombe
plus, celui-là aime Dieu et s’essaye à faire passer son expérience dans la
réalité. En ce qui me concerne, je suis absolument résolu d’observer le beau et
glorieux commandement de Dieu que nous a enseigné Notre-Seigneur le Christ à
qui la pensée de l’homme est révélée et qui voit tout ce qui se fait en secret
comme à découvert. Sans doute, il est préférable de ne pas jurer du tout, mais
de vivre en toutes choses dans la paix et dans la foi. La vérité n’est-elle pas
en elle-même un grand serment ? et pour la même raison il est mauvais et
répréhensible de jurer par le Christ, mais le mensonge a produit les mécréants
à cause desquels on a employé le serment. Je veux jurer volontairement, par le
vrai Dieu, que nous aussi nous aimons l’empereur et prions pour lui. »
Le préfet : « Approche
alors, et sacrifie à Apollon, et aux autres dieux, et à l’image de l’empereur.
»
Apollonius : « Quant à
changer d’idées ou à prêter serment je m’en suis expliqué. En ce qui concerne
le sacrifice, les chrétiens et moi nous offrons un sacrifice non sanglant à
Dieu, Maître du ciel et de la terre, et de la mer et de tout ce qui a la vie, et
nous offrons ce sacrifice non pas à l’image, mais pour les personnes douées
d’intelligence et de raison qui ont été choisies de Dieu pour gouverner les
hommes. Voilà pourquoi, conformément aux ordres du Dieu à qui il appartient de
commander, nous offrons nos prières à celui qui habite dans le ciel, au seul
Dieu qui puisse gouverner la terre avec justice, tenant pour assuré que
l’empereur tient de Lui ce qu’il est, et d’aucun autre, si ce n’est du Roi, du
Dieu, qui tient toutes choses dans sa main. »
Le préfet : « A coup sûr
ce n’est pas pour philosopher qu’on t’a amené ici. Je te laisse un jour de
répit, tu peux réfléchir sur tes intérêts et choisir la vie ou la mort. » — Et
il le fit reconduire en prison. Trois jours après il le fit comparaître de nouveau
et lui dit :
« Eh bien ! à quoi
t’es-tu décidé ?
— A demeurer ferme dans
ma religion, comme je te l’avais dit auparavant.
— Vu le décret du Sénat
je te réitère de te repentir et de sacrifier aux dieux auxquels la terre
entière rend hommage et offre des sacrifices ; il est préférable pour toi de
vivre parmi nous plutôt que souffrir une mort avilissante. Il me semble que tu
ne dois pas ignorer le décret du Sénat.
— Je sais le commandement
du Dieu tout-puissant et je demeure ferme dans ma religion, je ne rends pas
hommage aux idoles fabriquées de main d’homme, façonnées avec de l’or, de
l’argent, ou du bois; qui ne peuvent ni voir, ni entendre, parce qu’elles sont
l’ouvrage d’hommes qui ignorent le vrai service de Dieu. Mais j’ai appris à
adorer le Dieu du ciel, à ne rendre hommage qu’à lui seul, qui a insufflé le
souffle de la vie dans tous les hommes et qui ne cesse de départir la vie à
chacun d’eux. Je n’entends pas m’avilir moi-même et me jeter dans l’abîme. Il
est honteux de rendre hommage à de vils objets, c’est une action ignominieuse
d’adorer en vain, et les hommes qui le font commettent le péché. Ceux qui ont
inventé ces adorations étaient fous, plus fous encore que ceux qui adorent et
rendent hommage. Dans leur folie, les Égyptiens adorent un oignon. Les
Athéniens, jusqu’à nos jours, fabriquent et adorent une tête de boeuf en cuivre
qu’ils nomment la fortune d’Athènes, et ils lui font une place en évidence près
de la statue de Jupiter et d’Héraclès, à telle enseigne qu’ils lui adressent
leurs prières. Et cependant cela ne vaut guère mieux que la boue séchée ou une
poterie brisée. Ils ont des yeux et ils ne voient pas, ils ont des oreilles et
ils n’entendent pas, ils ont des mains mais ils ne savent qu’en faire, ils ont
des pieds et ils ne marchent pas ; c’est qu’apparence n’est pas substance, et
je pense que Socrate lui aussi se moque des Athéniens quand il jure par l’arbre
populaire, par le chien et par le bois sec.
« Les hommes, en adorant
ces choses, pèchent d’abord contre eux-mêmes. De plus, ils sont coupables
d’impiété envers Dieu parce qu’ils ignorent la vérité. Les Égyptiens, je
reviens à eux, ont donné le nom de Dieu à l’oignon, à la truelle de bois, aux
fruits des champs que nous mangeons, qui entrent dans l’estomac et que nous
rejetons. Ils ont adoré cela; mais ce n’est pas tout, ils rendent hommage au
poisson, à la colombe, au chien, à la pierre, au loup, dans lesquels ils
adorent les fantaisies de leur imagination. Enfin, les hommes pèchent encore
toutes les fois qu’ils adressent leurs hommages aux hommes, aux anges ou aux
démons et les appellent leurs dieux. »
Le préfet : « Assez
philosophé, nous sommes pleins d’admiration ; maintenant Apollonius,
rappelle-toi ce décret du Sénat qui ne tolère nulle part de chrétiens. »
Apollonius : « Sans
doute, mais un décret humain, fût-il du Sénat, ne prévaut pas contre un décret
de Dieu. Il est bien vrai que les hommes inconséquents haïssent leurs
bienfaiteurs et les font mourir, et de la sorte les hommes restent éloignés de
Dieu. Mais tu n’ignores pas que Dieu a décrété la mort, après la mort le
jugement pour tous les hommes, rois ou mendiants, potentats, esclaves ou hommes
libres, philosophes ou ignorants. On peut mourir de deux manières. Les
disciples du Christ meurent tous les jours en mortifiant leurs désirs et en se
renonçant à eux-mêmes suivant ce qu’enseignent les saintes Écritures. Quant à
nous, nous ne cédons pas aux mauvais désirs, nous ne jetons pas des regards
impurs, pas de coups d’oeil furtifs, notre oreille se refuse à écouter le mal,
de peur que nos âmes en soient souillées. Mais puisque nous observons une
conduite si pure et que nous pratiquons de si saintes résolutions, nous ne
trouvons rien de si ardu à mourir pour le vrai Dieu, de qui vient tout ce que
nous avons, par qui nous sommes tout ce que . nous sommes, pour qui nous
affrontons les tortures afin d’éviter la mort éternelle.
« Bien plus, nous ne nous
offensons pas quand on confisque nos biens, parce que nous savons que, soit
dans la vie, soit dans la mort, nous appartenons à Dieu. La fièvre, la jaunisse
et toute autre maladie peut tuer un homme. Moi-même, je puis m’attendre à
mourir de l’une d’elles. »
Le préfet : « Tu veux
mourir ? »
Apollonius : « Mon désir
est de vivre dans le Christ, mais je n’ai pas sujet de craindre la mort à cause
de mon attachement à la vie. Il n’y a rien de plus désirable que la vie
éternelle, source d’immortalité pour l’âme qui a mené une vie honnête. »
Le préfet : « Je n’y
comprends plus rien du tout. »
Apollonius : « Et
cependant que puis-je dire de plus ? C’est à la parole de Dieu d’illuminer le
coeur comme la lumière naturelle luit devant les yeux. »
Un philosophe qui se
trouvait là dit : « Apollonius, tu te fais tort à toi-même, tu es sorti du
chemin de la vérité, ce qui ne t’empêche pas de croire que tu développes de
hautes vérités. »
Apollonius : « J’ai
appris à prier et non à outrager, mais la façon dont tu parles témoigne
l’aveuglement du coeur, car la vérité ne semble une insulte qu’à ceux qui ont
perdu le sens. »
Le préfet : «
Explique-toi. »
Apollonius : « Le Verbe
de Dieu, le Sauveur des âmes et des corps, s’est fait homme en Judée et il a
pratiqué tout le bien possible; il était rempli de sagesse et enseignait une
religion pure, digne des enfants des hommes et d’imposer silence au péché. Il
enseignait à apaiser la colère, modérer les désirs, détruire ou contenir les
appétits, chasser la mélancolie, être compatissant, accroître l’amour,
repousser la vaine gloire, s’abstenir de la vengeance, n’être pas intraitable,
mépriser la mort, non pas tant par mépris que par indulgence pour ceux qui ont
perdu toute loi, obéir aux lois de Dieu, honorer les princes, adorer Dieu,
garder notre volonté fidèle au Dieu immortel, prévoir le jugement qui suit la
mort, attendre la récompense qui suit la résurrection et que Dieu accorde à
ceux qui ont vécu dans la sainteté.
« Il enseignait tout ce
que je viens de dire avec beaucoup de force par ses paroles et par ses actions,
tous ceux à qui il avait accordé quelque bienfait lui rendaient gloire. Mais
enfin il fut mis à mort, comme, avant lui, les sages et les justes l’ont été
eux aussi; car il semble que les justes soient un reproche aux méchants.
« Nous lisons dans la
divine Écriture : Saisissons-nous de l’homme juste, car il est un sujet de
reproche pour nous ; et un philosophe [Socrate] dit de son côté : « Le juste
sera torturé, on lui crachera au visage, enfin il sera crucifié. »
« De même que les
Athéniens ont porté contre lui une injuste sentence de mort et l’ont accusé
faussement pour obéir à la canaille, de même notre Sauveur fut condamné à mort
par les méchants que l’envie et la malice dévoraient, suivant la parole
prophétique : Il fera du bien à tous et les persuadera, par sa bonté, d’adorer
Dieu le Père et Créateur de toutes choses, en qui nous aussi nous croyons et à
qui nous rendons hommage, parce que nous avons été instruits de ses saints
commandements que nous ignorions, ce qui rend notre erreur moins profonde ;
aussi, après une vie sainte, comptons-nous recevoir la vie future. »
Le préfet : « J’espérais
que la nuit te porterait conseil. »
Apollonius : « Et moi
aussi j’espérais que la nuit te porterait conseil et que ma réponse t’ouvrirait
les yeux, et que ton coeur porterait des fruits, que tu adorerais Dieu, le
Créateur de toutes choses, et que tu lui offrirais tes prières sous forme de
compassion, car la compassion réciproque est un sacrifice non sanglant qui ne
laisse pas d’être agréable à Dieu. »
Le magistrat : « Je
voudrais bien t’accorder ton pardon, mais c’est impossible, il y a ce décret du
Sénat, mais c’est sans haine que je prononce ta sentence. » Et il ordonna qu’on
lui coupât la tête.
Apollonius : « Dieu soit
béni pour ta sentence ! »
Et aussitôt les bourreaux
l’entraînèrent et lui coupèrent la tête. Lui n’avait pas cessé de rendre
honneur au Père, au Fils et au Saint-Esprit, à qui soit la gloire pour
toujours. Amen
F. C. C.(ONYBEARE),
dans The Guardian, 18 juin 1893, contenant une traduction anglaise du
texte arménien donné par les Méchitharistes (Venise, 1874). — F. C.
CONYBEARE, The Armenian Apology and Acts of Apollonius and other monuments
of early Christianity (1896). Apology and Acts of A., p. 29-49. — Une
passion grecque a été découverte et donnée par les Bollandistes : Analecta
Bollandiana, t. XIV (1895), p. 284. — HARNACK, dans Theolog. Literaturz.,
t. XX (1895), p. 590. — HARNACK, Sitzungsberichte der koen. preussischen
Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin (1893), p. 721-746. — MOMMSEN, même
recueil (1894), p. 497-503. — R. SEERERG, Neue Kirchliche Zeitschrift, IV
(1893), 836.872.— HARDY, Christianity and the Roman government (1894),
200-208. — P. ALLARD, Le Christianisme et l’Empire romain (1897), p.
63 et suiv. — HILGEEFELD, Apollonius von Rom, dans Zeitschrift f.
wissensch. Theol. (1894), t. I, p. 55-91. — BARDENHEWER, Patrologie (éd.
all. 1894), p. 99. — KRUGER, Grundriss der Wiss. Theol., p. 240. —
BATIFFOL, La Littérature grecque, p. 52-53. — KLETTE, Der Process and
die Acta S. Ap., dans les Texte und Unters., XV, a (1897). — Anal.
Boll. (1898), p. 234. — HILGENFELD, Die Apol. d. Apoll. von Rom,
dans Zt. f. wiss. Theolog., XLI (1898), p. 180-203.
SOURCE : http://gabriellaroma.unblog.fr/2008/01/29/les-actes-de-saint-apollonius-a-rome-vers-183/
et http://www.abbaye-saint-benoit.ch/martyrs/default.htm
Saint Apollonius the
Apologist
Also
known as
Apollonius the Martyr
Apollonius of Rome
Apollon….
21
April (Roman Martyrology)
18
April (Jerome’s Martyrology)
23
July (Constantinople Martyrology)
10
March on some calendars
8
April on some calendars
10
April on some calendars
Profile
Imperial Roman senator
and scholar.
After studying pagan philosophy and
the Scriptures, he converted to Christianity during
a period the faith was
banned, but little effort was put into persecution.
Denounced to the authorities as a Christian by
one of his slaves,
Apollonius was ordered to renounced his faith.
He refused. Delivered an eloquent defense of the faith before
the Senate. Martyr.
beheaded in
c.190 in Rome, Italy
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
video
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
nettsteder
i norsk
Readings
O Lord Jesus Christ,
grant us a measure of your Spirit. Help us to
obey your teaching,
soothe anger,
cultivate pity,
overcome desire,
increase love,
cast off sorrow,
shun vainglory,
renounce revenge,
and not be afraid of death.
Let us ever entrust our spirit to the everlasting God who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and rules forever and ever. Amen.
– Saint Apollonius
of Rome, Senator, Apologist and Martyr
MLA
Citation
“Saint Apollonius the
Apologist“. CatholicSaints.Info. 21 April 2024. Web. 27 January 2026. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-apollonius-the-apologist/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-apollonius-the-apologist/
Book of Saints
– Apollonius – 18 April
Article
APOLLONIUS (Saint) Martyr
(April 18) (2nd century) A Roman Senator who, accused of being a Christian by
one of his slaves, was condemned to be beheaded (A.D. 186). He is called
Apollonius the Apologist, on account of his eloquent speech before the Senate,
in defense of the Faith. Saint Jerome and Eusebius refer to this speech as one
full of eloquence and of sacred and profane learning.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Apollonius”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 25
July 2012.
Web. 27 January 2026.
<http://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-apollonius-18-april/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-apollonius-18-april/
St. Apollonius the
Apologist
St. Apollonius was a
Roman senator, a man of high social standing, and very erudite. He was
particularly well read in the philosophy of the pagans. He also read the Old
Testament and the writings of Christians. Under their influence Apollonius
became a Christian during one of the periods of toleration. Emperor Commodus
turned a blind eye on the Christians because his empress, Marcia favored them
(though it is unknown whether she herself converted).
Nevertheless, the edicts
issued under Marcus Aurelius remained in force. One of Apollonius’s slaves,
named Severus, publicly denounced Apollonius as a Christian to Perennis, the
praetorian prefect. The saint was brought before Perennis and told he must
renounce his faith or die.
When the senator refused
to apostatize, the case was remanded to the Senate, where a remarkable dialogue
took place between Perennis and Apollonius.
Because of his influence
in society, those judging him paid close attention to his defense of
Christianity, which is recorded in the Roman Martyrology.
“Are you bent on dying?”
asked Perennis.
“No,” said Apollonius, “I
enjoy life; but love of life does not make me afraid to die. There is waiting
for me something better: eternal life, given to the person who has lived well
on earth.”
Apollonius pointed out
that everyone must die and that it was better to die for the sake of true
belief and the true God than to die of some ordinary disease because a martyr
becomes the seed of new Christians. He argued that Christianity is superior by
its concepts of death and life: death is a natural necessity which has nothing
frightening about it, while the true life is the life of the soul.
He explained that
paganism is futile because idols are human artifacts without life, autonomy,
reason, or virtue. Saint Apollonius then took the opportunity to give the whole
court a reasoned apology of his Christian faith, which is a moving, direct
summary of the entire Christian creed.
Above all, he reasoned,
Christianity surpasses paganism through the salvific work of Jesus Christ, the
revealing Word of God and teacher of moral life, who became man to destroy sin
by his death. Apollonius continued that Christ’s death was prophesied both by
Scripture and by Plato.
He remained steadfast in
his refusal to renounce Christianity and in his belief in eternal life. Despite
his eloquent defense, which remains one of the most priceless documents of
Christian antiquity, Apollonius’s legs were crushed and then he was beheaded.
An authentic account of his examination by the magistrate was discovered in
1874 in an Armenian text and more recently in Greek.
Saint Jerome, who had
seen a copy of Apollonius’s defense of the faith, admired its eloquence and
profound demonstration of sacred and profane learning.
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saint-apollonius-the-apologist/
St. Apollonius the
Apologist
Feastday: April 18
Death: 185
Martyr whose Apologia, or
defense of the faith, is considered one of the most priceless documents of the
early Church. Apollonius was a Roman senator who was denounced as a Christian by
one of his slaves. The Praetorian Prefect, Sextus Tigidius Perennis, arrested
him, also putting the slave to death as an informer. Perennis demanded that
Apollonius denounce the faith, and when he refused, the case was remanded to
the Roman senate. There a debate took place between Perennis and Apollonius
that clearly outlines the beauty and the value of Christianity. Despite his
eloquent defense, Apollonius was condemned and beheaded.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1499
Saints
of the Day – Apollonius the Apologist
Article
Died April 21, c.185-190;
feast is recorded as April 18 in the Martyrology of Jerome, but is kept in the
East on July 23.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
give us a measure of Thy spirit
that we may be enabled to obey
Thy teaching to pacify anger,
to take part in pity,
to moderate desire,
to increase love,
to put away sorrow,
to cast away vain-glory,
not to be vindictive,
not to fear death,
ever entrusting our spirit to immortal God,
who with Thee and the Holy Ghost
liveth and reigneth world without end.”
– Saint Apollonius (from
part of his defense before Perennis)
Apollonius was a Roman
senator, a man of high social standing, and a very erudite. He was particularly
well read in the philosophy of the pagans. He also read the Old Testament and
the writings of Christians. Under their influence Apollonius became a Christian
during one of the periods of toleration. Emperor Commodus turned a blind eye on
the Christians because his empress, Marcia favored them (though it is unknown
whether she herself converted). Nevertheless, the edicts issued under Marcus
Aurelius remained in force.
One of Apollonius’s
slaves, named Severus, publicly denounced Apollonius as a Christian to
Perennis, the praetorian prefect. Though the slave’s legs were broken and he
was put to death as an informer, the saint was brought before Perennis and told
he must renounce his faith or die.
When the senator refused
to apostatize, the case was remanded to the Senate, where a remarkable dialogue
took place between Perennis and Apollonius. Because of his influence in
society, those judging him paid close attention to his defense of Christianity,
which is recorded in the Roman Martyrology.
“Are you bent on dying?”
asked Perennis.
“No,” said Apollinius, “I
enjoy life; but love of life does not make me afraid to die. There is waiting
for me something better: eternal life, given to the person who has lived well
on earth.”
Apollinius pointed out
that everyone must die and that it was better to die for the sake of true
belief and the true God than to die of some ordinary disease because a martyr
becomes the seed of new Christians. He argued that Christianity is superior by
its concepts of death and life: death is a natural necessity which has nothing
frightening about it, while the true life is the life of the soul.
He explained that
paganism is futile because idols are human artefacts without life, automony,
reason, or virtue. Saint Apollinius then took the opportunity to give the whole
court a reasoned apology of his Christian faith, which is a moving, direct
summary of the entire Christian creed. Above all, he reasoned, Christianity
surpasses paganism through the salvific work of Jesus Christ, the revealing
Word of God and teacher of moral life, who became man to destroy sin by his
death. Apollonius continued that Christ’s death was prophesied both by
Scripture and by Plato.
He remained steadfast in
his refusal to renounce Christianity and in his belief in eternal life. Despite
his eloquent defense, which remains one of the most priceless documents of
Christian antiquity, Apollonius’s legs were crushed and then he was beheaded.
An authentic account of his examination by the magistrate was discovered in 1874
in an Armenian text and more recently in Greek. Saint Jerome, who had seen a
copy of Apollonius’s defense of the faith, admired its eloquence and profound
demonstration of sacred and profane learning. He is also mentioned in the
History of the Church (v. 21, 1-5) by Eusebius (Attwater2, Benedictines,
Bentley, Coulson, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer, Husenbeth).
MLA
Citation
Katherine I
Rabenstein. Saints of the Day, 1998. CatholicSaints.Info.
5 June 2020. Web. 27 January 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-apollonius-the-apologist/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-apollonius-the-apologist/
St. Apollonius the Apologist, Martyr
From Eusebius, Hist. b. 5, c. 21; St. Jerom.
Cat. c. 42; Tertull. Apol.
A.D. 186
MARCUS AURELIUS had persecuted the Christians from principle, being a
bigoted Pagan: but his son, Commodus, who, in 180, succeeded him in the empire,
after some time, though a vicious man, showed himself favourable to them out of
regard to Marcia, a lady whom he had honoured with the title of empress, and
who was an admirer of the faith. During this calm, the number of the faithful
was exceedingly increased, and many persons of the first rank enlisted
themselves under the banner of the cross, of which number was Apollonius, a
Roman senator. He was a person very well versed both in philosophy and the holy
scripture. In the midst of the peace which the church enjoyed, he was publicly
accused of Christianity by one of his own slaves, named Severus, before
Perennis, prefect of the Prætorium. The slave was immediately condemned by the
prefect to have his legs broken, and to be put to death, in consequence of an
edict of Marcus Aurelius, who, without repealing the former laws against
convicted Christians, ordered by it that their accusers should be put to death.
The slave being executed, pursuant to the sentence already mentioned, the same
judge sent an order to his master, St. Apollonius, to renounce his religion as
he valued his life and fortune. The saint courageously rejected such
ignominious terms of safety, wherefore Perennis referred him to the judgment of
the Roman senate, commanding him to give an account of his faith to that body.
The martyr hereupon composed an excellent discourse, but which has not reached
our times, in vindication of the Christian religion, and spoke it in a full
senate. St. Jerom, who had perused it, did not know whether more to admire the
eloquence, or the profound learning, both sacred and profane, of its
illustrious author: who, persisting in his refusal to comply with the
condition, was condemned by a decree of the senate, and beheaded, about the
year 186, of Commodus the sixth. 1
It
is the prerogative of the Christian religion to inspire men with such
resolution, and form them to such heroism, that they rejoice to sacrifice their
life to truth. This is not the bare force and exertion of nature, but the
undoubted power of the Almighty, whose strength is thus made perfect in
weakness. Every Christian ought to be an apologist for his religion by the
sanctity of his manners. Such would be the force of universal good example,
that no libertine or infidel could withstand it.—But by the scandal and
irregularity of our manners, we fight against Christ, and draw a reproach upon
his most holy religion. Thus, through us, are his name and faith blasphemed
among the Gentiles. The primitive Christians converted the world by the
sanctity of their example; and, by the spirit of every heroic and divine virtue
which their actions breathed, spread the good odour of Christ on all sides; but
we, by a monstrous inconsistency between our lives and our faith, scandalize
the weak among the faithful, strengthen the obstinacy of infidels, and furnish
them with arms against that very religion which we profess. “Either change thy
faith, or change thy manners,” said an ancient father.
Note
1. It seems a strange inconsistency, that
Marcus Aurelius should be the author of such an edict as was before mentioned.
But no less glaringly absurd and unjust was the answer of Trajan to Pliny the
Younger, that Christians ought not to be sought after, yet that they were to be
condemned, if accused: which Tertullian justly confutes by a keen raillery, and
this dilemma: “If they are criminal, why are they not sought after? if
innocent, why are they punished?” (Apol. c. 2.) It is certain that Marcus
Aurelius, with all his philosophical virtues and princely qualities, did not
love the Christians; as is clear from unquestionable authority, even from his
own book. And besides a tincture of superstition and philosophic phrenzy, a
mixture of weakness was blended in his character, notwithstanding the boasted
cry of his wisdom. And it was certainly to act out of character, and more like
a pedant than a prince, for a Roman emperor, in his old age, to trudge with his
book, like a schoolboy, to the house of Sextus the philosopher, to learn his
lesson. After his miraculous victory in Germany, in 174, he published an edict
in favour of the Christians: but his boon was not complete. Commodus did not
persecute them, yet would not protect them against the senate, which, in general,
was never favourable to Christianity; and some emperors who were mildly
inclined, seemed to have oppressed the Christians only to gain the esteem of
that respectable body. It is again objected by some to this history of St.
Apollonius, that no slave would have exposed himself to certain death by
accusing his master. But this the informer did not expect would be his fate. He
might be ignorant of such an edict, or persuaded he had nothing to fear from
it: and the hope of liberty, the encouragement of some powerful Pagan, and
other such motives, might prompt him to perpetrate this villany. He doubtless
hoped to make his court to some persons; for men in power are often fond of
informers. The perjuries and villanies of those miscreants had rendered them odious
at Rome. Tacitus, the historian, calls them, genus hominum publico exitio
repertum, et pœnis nunquam satis coercitum. Titus, Nerva, and Trajan, had made
severe edicts against that tribe. St. Cyprian, when asked at his trial the
names of the priests at Carthage, answered, that the civil laws justly
condemned delators. A slave that accused his master by the Roman laws was
liable to be put to death. (See Cod. l. x. tit. xi. and the notes.) In the
present case, the senate might condemn St. Apollonius by the rescript of Trajan
to Pliny, or other former laws; yet punish the slave, not to encourage such
base informers. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler
(1711–73). Volume IV: April. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
Pictorial
Lives of the Saints – Saint Apollonius, Martyr
Article
Marcus Aurelius had
persecuted the Christians, but his son, Commodus, who, in 180, succeeded him,
showed himself favorable to them out of regard to his Empress Marcia, who was
an admirer of the faith. During this calm, the number of the faithful was
exceedingly increased, and many persons of the first rank, among them
Apollonius, a Roman senator, enlisted themselves under the banner of the cross.
He was a person very well versed both in philosophy and the holy Scripture. In
the midst of the peace which the Church enjoyed, he was publicly accused of
Christianity by one of his own slaves. The slave was immediately condemned to
have his legs broken, and to be put to death, in consequence of an edict of
Marcus Aurelius, who, without repealing the former laws against convicted
Christians, ordered by it that their accusers should be put to death. The slave
being executed, the same judge sent an order to Saint Apollonius to renounce
his religion as he valued his life and fortune. The Saint courageously rejected
such ignominious terms of safety, wherefore Perennis referred him to the
judgment of the Roman senate, to give an account of his faith to that body.
Persisting in his refusal to comply with the condition, the Saint was condemned
by a decree of the Senate, and beheaded about the year 186.
Reflection – It is the
prerogative of the Christian religion to inspire men with such resolution, and
form them to such heroism, that they rejoice to sacrifice their life to truth.
This is not the bare force and exertion of nature, but the undoubted power of
the Almighty, whose strength is thus made perfect in weakness. Every Christian
ought, by his manners, to bear witness to the sanctity of* his faith. Such
would be the force of universal good example, that no libertine or infidel
could withstand it.
MLA
Citation
John Dawson Gilmary Shea.
“Saint Apollonius, Martyr”. Pictorial Lives of the
Saints, 1889. CatholicSaints.Info.
6 March 2014. Web. 27 January 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/pictorial-lives-of-the-saints-saint-apollonius-martyr/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/pictorial-lives-of-the-saints-saint-apollonius-martyr/
April
18: Saint Apollonius the Apologist
Posted by Jacob
Today, April 18, we
celebrate the feast of Saint Apollonius the Apologist (died 186), a
Roman Senator and member of the Roman elite. Apollonius had found the truth of
Christ, and was unable to deny his faith and confidence in the Lord, earning
him a martyr’s death. His heroic defense of the truth, and unwillingness to
compromise his beliefs to save himself, is an example and inspiration to both
civic leaders and the faithful throughout the world!
Apollonius had spent years in study and was extremely familiar with the major
philosophers and schools of thought in the second century Roman empire. He
developed an interest in the Jewish scriptures and this led him to Christian
writings. Eventually, Apollonius converted to Christianity because of the
witness and testimonies of the early Church members, but continued to study the
beliefs and convictions of those he had left behind, hoping to bring them to
conversion with himself. As a member of the Roman Senate, he knew well the law
forbidding the practice of Christianity. However, he felt drawn to live a life
rich in the grace and love of Christ, and was confident that the Roman rulers
would not punish him for this.
Apollonius had been
baptized, fully embracing his faith. During this period of time, the Emperor
Commodus had informally halted the persecution of Christians, out of regard for
his Empress Marcia, who was an admirer of the Faith. The laws of his father,
Marcus Aurelius, who had persecuted Christians, had not been repealed officially,
however. Therefore, when one of Apollonius’ slaves publicly accused him of
being a Christian, he was arrested under the laws of the time. The slave, for
his part, was condemned to have his legs broken, and also be put to death, as
the anti-Christian laws of Marcus Aurelius also ordered the accusers of
Christians to be put to death.
Apollonius was brought before the courts to defend himself. As Perennis, the
Praetorian prefect who had arrested him, brought Apollonius to his trials he
pleaded with him to renounce his faith. He insisted that if he said the words
and apostatized, even if he "didn't mean it,” those in power were all too
willing to find him not guilty of the crime. He reminded Apollonius that the
punishment for being a Christian was death and insisted that the right course
of action for a senator like Apollonius was to renounce his faith and maintain
his influence and power in the world.
Apollonius, of course,
refused to renounce his faith before the court, and was led to the Senate to
defend himself before his peers. This was the moment that Apollonius had been
counting on, and he eloquently testified to his faith before his friends and
colleagues. He ended his great testimony by praying, "O Lord Jesus
Christ, give us a bit of your spirit so that we might be helped to obey your
teachings to: make peace over anger, join in pity with others and for others,
temper our desires, always increase in love, put away our sorrow, cast aside
our foolish pride, not love vengeance, and not fear death. Help us to trust our
spirit to God the Father who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit now
and forever."
Perennis, as well as his
fellow Senators, could not understand why Apollonius wasn't taking the easy and
reasonable way out of death and yelled at him, "Are you determined to
die today?"
Apollonius responded, "Oh no." He continued, "I
very much enjoy life but my love of life does not make me afraid to lose it.
There's something better waiting for me: eternal life! There is something
better given to the person who has lived well on earth."
Apollonius admonished the
listening crowd to cast aside their pride and self-obsession, but they were
unwilling to pay the price of faith. He was convicted for his crime not because
the senate was willing to convict one of its own but because he was unwilling
even to pretend not to trust God. For his crime his legs were crushed and he
was beheaded. He died a martyr who had been given a rare chance to preach the
Gospel to his executioners.
Saint Apollonius’ Apologia, or defense of the faith, is considered one of the
most priceless documents of the early Church. Four separate sources record his
historical debate in front of the Roman Senate, including Saint
Eusebius and Saint
Jerome, as well as Greek and Armenian texts which were discovered late in the
19th century.
The Roman Martyrology
records the martyrdom of Saint Apollonius as follows:
At Rome, commemoration of Saint Apollonius, philosopher and martyr. Under the
Emperor Commodus, he defended, before the Prefect Perennius and the Senate, the
cause of the Christian faith in a finely argued address, and then, after being
condemned to death, confirmed it by the witness of his blood.
The life of Saint
Apollonius is a courageous reminder for each of us, that earthly money, power,
and prestige pale in comparison to the riches and rewards that await us in
heaven. As we approach Good Friday, we might consider more fully and deeply
that which ties us to the earth, certain in the fact that our Lord and Savior
gave up all earthly connections—including those to his friends, followers, and
Blessed Mother—to die for our sins, ensuring our everlasting peace and
happiness in the next life.
SOURCE : https://365rosaries.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-18-saint-apollonius-apologist.html
Sant' Apollonio di
Roma Filosofo e martire
Festa: 21 aprile
† Roma, 185
Muore da martire nel 185,
sotto l’imperatore Commodo; quello che più si ricorda di Apollonio è la sua
orazione finale davanti al governatore Perennio e al Senato: non la sua difesa,
bensì un’apologia del cristianesimo, puntuale e poetica, che gli varrà,
appunto, la condanna a morte.
Martirologio
Romano: A Roma, commemorazione di sant’Apollonio filosofo, martire, che
sotto l’imperatore Commodo, davanti al governatore Perennio e al Senato con una
raffinata orazione difese la causa della fede cristiana, confermandola poi,
dopo la condanna a morte, con la testimonianza del suo sangue.
S. Apollonio fu martirizzato a Roma nel 185, sotto l’impero di Commodo (161-192); notizie che lo riguardano ci sono pervenute da ben quattro fonti, per primo dai processi verbali contenuti nella raccolta degli atti degli antichi martiri, incorporata nella “Storia Ecclesiastica” di Eusebio, vescovo e storico (265-340); poi in due capitoli del “De Viris Illustribus” di s. Gerolamo, vescovo e Dottore della Chiesa (347-420) e in due redazioni della ‘passio’, una in armeno e l’altra in greco, scoperte nel secolo XIX.
Secondo queste fonti, Apollonio era un’illustre personaggio romano, erudito in scienza e filosofia e sembra anche senatore; essendo cristiano venne denunciato al prefetto del Pretorio, Perennio, quindi fu chiamato a discolparsi e secondo s. Gerolamo, egli lesse davanti al senato un ”insigne volume descrittivo della fede in Cristo”.
Quindi questo ‘volumen’ invece di essere una ritrattazione, conteneva un’apologia del Cristianesimo, atto contrario al rescritto imperiale di Traiano, che lo proibiva, pertanto Apollonio venne condannato a morte.
I testi riferiscono che fu sottoposto a due interrogatori, a distanza di tre giorni l’uno dall’altro, il primo presieduto dallo stesso Perennio, il secondo da un collegio di senatori, consiglieri e giuristi. La descrizione delle udienze, meraviglia per il tono pacato ed il trattamento riservatogli, non solo per il suo rango sociale; al contrario di altre ‘passiones’ chiaramente inverosimili o troppo brevi; è ascoltato con attenzione, lo interrompono solo per contrastare, ma con serietà, le sue argomentazioni o per moderare l’asprezza delle sue parole e quindi la punibilità di esse.
Perennio è un giudice illuminato e magnanimo, come Apollonio è un uomo dalla mente pronta e vivacissima; non abbiamo in questa situazione il ripetersi prevenuto dei cristiani, del rifiuto a sacrificare agli dei, comune nell’agiografia dei martiri; ad Apollonio piace vivere, ma egli non esita a scegliere la morte, perché senza nessuna costrizione, crede volentieri nella dottrina della resurrezione e del giudizio finale, perché questa se fosse pure un’illusione o un errore, dà conforto e illumina la vita, togliendola da umilianti compromessi.
Riguardo la pena della morte subita, i testi discordano, nella ‘passio’ greca Apollonio muore dopo lo spezzamento delle gambe, supplizio esteso anche al suo denunciante (chi sa perché), mentre in quella armena invece viene decapitato e questa versione è riportata nel ‘Martyrologium Romanum’ che lo celebra al 21 aprile.
La sua figura fu inserita tardi nei Martirologi cristiani, giacché non fu oggetto di una precisa commemorazione nei primi tempi; poi nel Medioevo fu confuso con altri due santi, Apollo alessandrino e Apollonio martire insieme a s. Valentino, la cui ricorrenza è al 18 aprile, questa data fu in vigore per molto tempo, ma la recentissima edizione del ‘Martirologio Romano’ l’ha riportata al 21 aprile.
Autore: Antonio Borrelli
SOURCE : https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/90522
Den hellige Apollonius
Apologeten ( -~185)
Minnedag:
18. april
Den hellige Apollonius
var trolig født i Hellas eller Lilleasia. Han var en romersk senator av høy
sosial rang og svært lærd. Han var spesielt belest innen hedningenes filosofi,
men han leste også Det gamle testamentet og de kristnes skrifter. Under deres
innflytelse ble han en kristen under en av de tolerante periodene. Keiser
Commodus (180-92) vendte det blinde øyet til de kristne fordi hans keiserinne,
Marcia, støttet dem, selv om vi ikke vet om hun selv ble døpt. Men likevel sto
ediktene som var utstedt av keiser Markus Aurelius (161-80), fortsatt ved makt.
En av Apollonius' slaver
ved navn Severus anga sin herre offentlig som kristen til pretorianerprefekten
Sextus Tigidius Perennis. Selv om slavens bein ble brukket og han ble drept som
angiver, ble Apollonius brakt for Perennis, som krevde at han avsverget sin
kristne tro. Da Apollonius nektet, ble saken overlatt til senatet. En autentisk
avskrift av den bemerkelsesverdige dialogen mellom Perennis og Apollonius ble
oppdaget i en armensk tekst i 1874. Den inneholder Apollonius' eminente apologia,
forsvarstale, for kristendommen som har gitt ham tilnavnet Apologeten,
«forsvareren». Men til tross for sitt forsvar ble han dømt til døden. Perennis
sa: «Jeg skulle gjerne erklære deg uskyldig, Apollonius, men jeg må dømme etter
keiserens dekret. Jeg kommer imidlertid til å gi ordre om at dødsdommen
eksekveres så humant som mulig». Apollonius ble halshogd den 21. april rundt
185.
Hans forsvarstale inneholder
en kritikk av hedendommen som innholdsløs fordi dens gudebilder er menneskelige
gjenstander uten liv, autonomi, fornuft eller dyder, derfor må de avvises.
Kristendommen er høyere ved sine forestillinger om liv og død: døden er en
naturlig nødvendighet som ikke har noe skremmende ved seg, mens det sanne liv
er sjelens liv. Fremfor alt overgår kristendommen hedendommen gjennom Kristi
verk, det åpenbarte Guds Ord og lærer for moralsk liv, som ble menneske for å
ødelegge synden ved sin død. Dette siste, forutsagt både av Skriften og av
Plato, kan sammenlignes med profetenes og Sokrates' død. Kort sagt er
kristendommen det beste for sin tid, og hvis noen blir martyrdrept, blir han
såkorn for nye kristne.
Det synes klart at han
ble halshogd den 21. april. Hans minnedag har lenge vært 18. april (datoen i
Hieronymus' martyrologium), men 10. mars, 8. april og 10. april nevnes også.
Den nyeste utgaven av Martyrologium Romanum har flyttet minnedagen igjen til
dødsdagen 21. april. I martyrologiet i Konstantinopel minnes han den 23. juli.
Han ble nevnt av den hellige Hieronymus og
den berømte kirkehistorikeren Eusebius av Caesarea (ca
260-340) og hans navn finnes i tidlige liturgiske bøker. Det finnes ingen bevis
på en tidlig kult, og i middelalderen ble han blandet sammen med den Apollonius
som døde sammen med den hellige Filemon og
med den Apollonius som nevnes i forbindelse med Paulus (Apg 18,24 og 1.Kor
3,4).
Kilder:
Attwater/Cumming, Farmer, Bentley, Butler (IV), Benedictines, Delaney, Bunson, Eilertsen,
Kaas, Engelhart, KIR, CSO, Infocatho, Heiligenlexikon, santiebeati.it -
Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden -
Sist oppdatert: 2006-07-26 23:17
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/apollapo
Acts of Apollonius :
https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/actsapollonius.html