Saint Claudius Apollinaris
Bishop of Hierapolis in the 2nd century, Claudius Apollinaris was a major defender of the faith against the heresies of Tatian and Montanus. He is famous for his apology addressed to Marcus Aurelius around 177, in which he recounts the miracle of the rain obtained by the Christian Melitene legion. Although his writings are lost, his erudition and zeal were praised by the greatest authors of the early Church.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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S. CLAUDIUS APOLLINARIS, BP., APOLOGIST OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION (180)
Defender of Orthodoxy
Claudius Apollinaris, Bishop of Hierapolis, is recognized for his polemical writings against early Christian heresies, notably Encratism and Montanism.
Claudius Apollinar is, Bishop of Hierapo lis in Phrygia, has always been regarded as one of the greatest lights of the early Church. However, nothing remains of his writings, nor any history of his life. We only see that he received great praise from ancient authors. Heretics always found in him a formidable enemy. He composed learned treatises in which he refuted their impious systems beyond reply; and, in order to strip them of any subterfuge, he demonstrated from which sect of philosophers each had drawn their errors. He fought above all the errors of
Tatian, a species of Christian Stoicism which bore the name of Encratism, or continence; where the use of wine and marriage were prohibited, and where it was taught that Jesus Christ had suffered only in appearance, etc.; and those of Montanus, who preceded Muhamm ad by claiming that the revelations of Moses and Jesus Christ were insufficient, that the Holy Spirit had descended upon him and upon two women, Priscilla and Maximilla, and by hiding the most dissolute morals under austere appearances, etc.
The Apology to Marcus Aurelius
In 177, the bishop addressed an apology to Emperor Marcus Aurelius, invoking the miracle of the rain obtained by a Christian legion during a military campaign.
Around 177, he presented to Marcus Aurelius an apology full of reason, eloquence, and above all, relevance in favor of the persecuted Christians; he reminded this prince that during his expedition against the Marcomanni and the Quadi, hemmed in by these enemies in Germany, he had obtained through the prayers of a Ch ristian legion (the Melitene or Thundering Legion), an abundant rain that quenched the thirst of his army, which was dying of thirst.
Warburton demonstrated the truth of this miracle against the poor jests of Voltaire. Werton, another Englishman, a Protestant, also established it in a dissertation published in 1748, against Le Clerc and Bayle. The pagans of the time had less impudence: they did not deny the fact; only Porphyry and Claudian at tributed i t to magic. Tertullian speaks of it as a public and incontestable fact, and twice refers the Romans to the letter of Marcus Aurelius, who reports it, gives credit for it to the prayers of the Christians, and orders, in consideration of this, that the persecution cease for a time. The original of this edict s till existed when Tertullian and Saint Jerome were writing.
End of life and testimonies
Saint Apollinaris died around 180, leaving behind a reputation as a scholar validated by authors such as Tertullian and Saint Jerome.
Saint Apollinaris died around the year 180.
Iconography
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Narrative network
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The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Claudius Apollinaris
Frequently asked questions about Saint Claudius Apollinaris
Who was Saint Claudius Apollinaris?
Bishop of Hierapolis in the 2nd century, Claudius Apollinaris was a major defender of the faith against the heresies of Tatian and Montanus. He is famous for his apology addressed to Marcus Aurelius around 177, in which he recounts the miracle of the rain obtained by the Christian Melitene legion. Although his writings are lost, his erudition and zeal were praised by the greatest authors of the early Church.
How is Saint Claudius Apollinaris depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Claudius Apollinaris is recognizable by: book and episcopal insignia.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Claudius Apollinaris?
1 miracle are attributed to this saint, notably: Mastery of the elements.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Claudius Apollinaris?
Contemporaries include: Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (First Bishop of Paris), Saint Pothinus and his companions (Martyrs of Lyon), Saint Benignus of Smyrna and Jesus Christ (Relics of the Passion).
When did Saint Claudius Apollinaris die?
Saint Claudius Apollinaris died around 200.
What are the other names of Saint Claudius Apollinaris?
Other forms of the name: Apollinaire d'Hiérapolis.
Annexes & related entities
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Key Events
- Episcopate in Hierapolis, Phrygia
- Struggle against the heresies of Tatian (Encratism) and Montanus
- Writing of an apology addressed to Emperor Marcus Aurelius around 177
- Testimony on the miracle of the Thundering Legion