The Holy Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite.
Saint Dionysius was from Athens, a learned man, and a member of the famous judicial court of Mars’ Hill (in Greek Areos Pagos, hence the name Areopagite – see Acts 17:19–34). When Saint Paul preached in Athens, he was one of the first there to believe in Christ, and, according to some, became the first bishop of that city. Others say – and this may be more probable – that he was the second Bishop of Athens, after Saint Hierotheus, whom Dionysius calls his friend and teacher “after Paul” (On the Divine Names, 3:2). With Saint Hierotheus he was also present at the Dormition of the most holy Theotokos; the Doxasticon of the Aposticha for the service of the Dormition is partly taken from a passage in Chapter III of On the Divine Names. According to ancient tradition, he received a martyr’s end (according to some, in Athens itself) about the year 96.
The above account is taken from the Great Horologion,
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