Holy Apostle Ananias of the Seventy, First Bishop of Damascus

Short life

Holy Apostle Ananias was one of the Seventy Apostles and the first Bishop of Damascus. The Acts of the Apostles recounts that the Lord sent him to Saul, who had persecuted Christians. Ananias laid his hands upon Saul, whose sight was restored, and then baptized him. Saul later became the great preacher of the Gospel, the Apostle Paul.

Ministry and witness

Ananias openly confessed Christ before Jews and pagans despite the danger. He left Damascus to preach in Eleutheropolis. Church tradition recounts that many sick people there received healing through him. Lucian, the prefect of the city, sought to make the saint offer sacrifice to idols. Ananias firmly refused to deny Christ. He endured torture and was taken outside the city, where he was stoned. According to tradition, he prayed for those who were putting him to death.

Why he is venerated

Saint Ananias is venerated as a faithful witness to Christ, a shepherd, and a martyr. His meeting with Saul shows that God’s call and mercy can transform a person even after grave error. Ananias’ obedience was not easy: he was sent to the man whom Christians feared as a persecutor. His relics were later transferred to Constantinople. His commemoration invites Christians to unite courageous confession of faith with prayer for others, including those who cause them harm.

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