Hierotheos the Thesmothete
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| Saint Hierotheos the Thesmothete | |
|---|---|
 Icon of Hierotheos |
|
| 'The Thesmothete' | |
| Born | |
| Died | , Athens |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Eastern Catholic Churches |
| Feast | October 4 |
 Saints Portal |
|
Hierotheos the Thesmothete is the reputed first head and bishop of the Christian Athenians.
[edit] Biography
Little is known of Hierotheos. Church tradition holds that he was one of the learned men in the city of Athens. He was instructed in Christianity by the Apostle Paul, who baptized and ordained him around the year 53.[1] Hierotheos frequently visited and instructed St. Dionysius the Areopagite. There is disagreement as to whether Hierotheos was actually a priest or bishop; some traditions describe Dionysius as the first bishop of Athens. [2]
According to Dionysius (On the Divine Names, 3:2), Hierotheos was an accomplished hymnographer:
"He was wholly transported, wholly outside himself and was so deeply absorbed in communion with the sacred things he celebrated in hymnology, that to all who heard him and saw him and knew him, and yet knew him not, he seemed to be inspired of God, a divine hymnographer." [3]
[edit] Hierotheos and the Dormition of the Theotokos
Hierotheos was reportedly present during the dormition of the Theotokos (Mary, the Mother of God), and he stood in the midst of the apostles and comforted them with spiritual songs and hymns which he sang accompanied with musical instruments.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Hierotheos
- ^ Christian Athens - article in the Catholic Encyclopedia.
- ^ Daily Reading, October 4, 2005, The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
- ^ Hierotheus - article in the Catholic Encyclopedia.
