The PriestMartyr Methodios, Bishop of Patara
Commemorated on June 20
The PriestMartyr
Methodios, Bishop of Patara (Lycian region in Asia Minor), was
distinguished for his genuine monastic humility. Calmly and with mildness he
instructed his flock, but together with this he firmly defended the purity of
Orthodoxy and he energetically contended against heresies, especially the
widespread heresy of the Origenists. He left behind him a rich literary legacy:
works in defense of Christianity against paganism, explications of Orthodox
dogmas against the heresy of Origen, moral discourses, and explanations of Holy
Scripture.
Saint Methodios was
arrested by the pagans, steadfastly confessed before them his faith in Christ,
and in the year 312 he was sentenced to death by beheading.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.