Saint Papias

Papias (Greek: Παπίας) or Papias of Hierapolis was a Greek Apostolic Father, Bishop of Hierapolis (modern Pamukkale, Turkey), and author who lived from approximately AD 60 to around 130. He is best known for his work in gathering oral stories about Jesus and His disciples, which he compiled into a now-lost five-volume book titled Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord (Greek: Λογίων Κυριακῶν Ἐξήγησις). Although the complete work is no longer extant, brief excerpts from this text are preserved in the writings of Irenaeus of Lyons and Eusebius of Caesarea. These fragments provide valuable insights into early Christian oral tradition and the origins of the canonical Gospels. Papias's contributions to understanding the life and teachings of Jesus make him a significant figure in the history of Christian literature and theology.