Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens, with Rusticus the Presbyter and Eleutherius the Deacon (†96) — October 3 / October 16 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, October 3 according to the Julian Calendar (October 16 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens, with Rusticus the Presbyter and Eleutherius the Deacon.

Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite was a member of the Areopagus of Athens, the supreme court of the city. He was converted to Christianity by the Apostle Paul, who baptized him and later ordained him Bishop of Athens. After the repose of the Apostles, the blessed Dionysius set out for the western lands to preach, together with the presbyter Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherius, and brought many pagans to Christ. In the year 96, in the Gallic 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 are of immeasurable importance for the theology of the Orthodox Church.

Saint Dionysius is also commemorated on January 4, where his life is recounted at greater length in that day’s reading.