Today, the Orthodox Church pays homage to the Holy Martyr Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens (d. 96), Presbyter Rusticus, and Deacon Eleutherius.
Life of the Holy Martyr Dionysius the Areopagite
The holy book of the Acts of the Holy Apostles, written by the holy apostle and evangelist Luke, speaks, among other things, of the preaching of the holy apostle Paul in Athens (17:15). In this ancient city, famous for its philosophers and well-organized schools, the apostle drew attention to an altar on which was written, “To the Unknown God.” At a great meeting of the most noble and learned Athenians in the Areopagus, the apostle of the nations announced that he had come to them to preach about the God whom the Athenians, without knowing, worship, Who created the whole world and gave to all life, breath, everything. He explained to his listeners the difference between this omnipresent and omnipotent God and the soulless idols they worshiped. He also spoke to them about the resurrection of the One who preached repentance and life, and Who will come to judge the universe.
Many Athenians were skeptical of this new doctrine. But among the listeners there were those who believed the words of the holy apostle and turned to Christ the Lord. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, i.e. of the Supreme Council in Athens.
At a young age, Dionysius lived a long time in Egypt. He was there at the Savior’s crucifixion. On Golgotha, the Lord Jesus uttered the words “it is finished” and died. Darkness enveloped the earth. Darkness engulfed Egypt. Dionysius, according to legend, shivered with terror at this darkness and cried out:
– Either the world ends, or God, its Creator, suffers!
After the sermon of ap. Paul in Athens, the heart of Dionysius opened to accept the faith in the true God. But he was not baptized immediately.
On his way out of Athens, the apostle Paul met a blind man. He made a cross over it with his hand and the man saw. Seeing him happy, the apostle ordered him to go to Dionysius and remind him of his desire to become a member of Christ’s church.
The miraculous healing of the blind man convinced Dionysius even more of the truth of the Christian faith. And he was baptized with his whole house.
He then left his family and went with the apostle, becoming his disciple and companion. For three years he was inseparable from him, studying the word of God directly from him.
He saw the other apostles and was with them in Gethsemane at the Assumption of the Immaculate Mother of God.
Shortly afterwards, the apostle Paul ordained him a bishop and sent him to preach in Athens. As Bishop of Athens, Dionysius swore to establish the Church of God in this part of the world.
In Athens he later learned of the martyrdom of his teacher, and shortly afterwards gave his life for the faith.
The work “On the Heavenly Hierarchy” is attributed to the Holy Martyr Dionysius the Areopagite. This work speaks of angelic ranks. The book of God’s names and mysterious theology is also attributed to this apostolic man. He gives information about the miraculous death of the Mother of God.
Today, everyone with the names Denis, Denislav and Denislava have a reason to enjoy.
Denis means “Celebration of the day and the light.” Also from Turkish means sea, the sea of glory. From Slavic – sunrise.
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