Holy Apostle Ananias of the Seventy (1st Century) — October 1 / October 14 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, October 1 according to the Julian Calendar (October 14 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, Bishop of Damascus.

The Holy Apostle Ananias, Bishop of the city of Damascus, was one of the seventy closest disciples of the Saviour. By the command of God it was he who baptized Saul, the persecutor of Christians and future Apostle Paul (Acts 9:10–19). Despite tribulations, Ananias boldly and openly preached Christianity among the Jews and the pagans. From Damascus he went on to Eleutheropolis, teaching the Gospel, and there healed many of the sick. The governor of the city, Lucian, tried to persuade the saint to offer sacrifice to the idols, but achieved nothing. Then, at his command, the executioners cruelly tortured the brave confessor of Christ. They led him outside the city and stoned him to death. Ananias, praying for his murderers, surrendered his soul to the Lord (1st century). Later his holy relics were translated to Constantinople.