Saint Abercius Marcellus

Biography

Saint Abercius Marcellus, also known as Abercius of Geropoli, Abercius of Hieropolis, or Abercio, was a renowned figure in the early Christian Church. Born in Phrygia Salutaris, a region in modern-day southwestern Turkey, Abercius dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Christianity as a missionary and later as the Bishop of Hierapolis. Renowned for his unwavering opposition to paganism, Abercius faced significant challenges in his efforts to promote the Christian faith. As a result of his steadfast refusal to compromise his beliefs, he found himself imprisoned for a period, deemed a threat to civil order by those who upheld pagan practices. One of the most well-known incidents in Abercius' life occurred when he was at the age of 72. He was summoned to Rome, Italy, to exorcise a demon from Lucilla, the daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Displaying his extraordinary spiritual power, Abercius succeeded in freeing Lucilla from the possession. This miraculous event further solidified his reputation as a holy figure. Upon completing the exorcism, Abercius returned to his see in Hierapolis. Notably, he composed his own epitaph, which made references to traditions that were still practiced in his time. This epitaph later formed an essential piece of evidence in establishing the existence of Abercius. In terms of his representation, Abercius is often depicted in various forms. One common representation is that of Apollo, a significant pagan deity, being destroyed by the bishop himself. This symbolizes Abercius' commitment to eradicating pagan practices in favor of Christianity. Another representation shows him holding a crozier, a symbol of his office as a bishop. Additionally, Abercius is often depicted performing an exorcism on a girl or young woman, symbolizing his ability to banish evil spirits through his unwavering faith. In some depictions, an angel is seen presenting Abercius with his crozier, emphasizing the divine intervention and guidance he received in his spiritual journey. Saint Abercius Marcellus passed away around the year 200 of natural causes. Although details about his life are scarce, his existence has been confirmed through extensive scholarship and historical documentation. Canonized prior to the formal establishment of the Catholic Church's Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Abercius has been venerated by the Greek Church since the 10th century. While Saint Abercius does not have a patronage associated with him explicitly, his life and teachings continue to inspire many Christians around the world. His feast day is celebrated on October 22nd, acknowledging his significant contributions to the early Christian Church and his unwavering commitment to the faith.