Saint Apollinaris, Bishop, martyr, was born in Antioch, Turkey. As per popular tradition he was a disciple of St. Peter. It was Saint Peter who sent him as the first Bishop of Ravenna, Italy.

The miracles he conducted in Ravenna soon attracted official attention, for they and his preaching won many converts to the faith. However, at the same time, his words and works brought upon the fury of the pagan people who beat Apollinaris cruelly on several occasions.

During one beating, Apollinaris was cut with knives, and scalding hot water poured over his wounds, then put on a ship to be sent to Greece.

In Greece the same course of preaching’s, and miracles, and sufferings continued. In fact, after a cruel beating by Greek pagans, he was sent back to Italy.

When Emperor Vespasian issued a decree of banishment against the Christians, Apollinaris was kept hidden for some time, but as he was leaving, passing through the gates of the city, he was attacked and savagely beaten. He lived for seven days, foretelling that the persecutions would increase, but that the Church would ultimately triumph. A beautiful basilica honouring him was built in Classis, Ravenna in the sixth century. The shrine in the Benedictine Abbey of Classis was once a popular pilgrimage destination.

Apollinaris was credited with many miracles. He appeared to St. Romuald, the founder of the Camaldolese. He is the patron of Ravenna, Burthscheid, Aachen, Remagen, and Düsseldorf, and is invoked against gout, epilepsy, and diseases of the sexual organs. Apollinaris is depicted as a bishop in liturgical art.
with inputs from Franciscan Media, CNA

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Severinus of Noricum
2. Saint Gudule of Brussels
3. Saint Erhard of Regensburg
4. Saint Thorfinn
5. Saint Lawrence Giustiniani

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