SAINT ANATOLIUS, BISHOP OF LAODICEA - 3 JULY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JULY

Saints celebrated on the 3rd of July

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SAINT ANATOLIUS, BISHOP OF LAODICEA

Saint Anatolius, Bishop of Laodicea and successor of Saint Eusebius, was a native of Alexandria. One of the most celebrated orators of the mid-third century, he was distinguished by holiness as well as learning. Throughout history, the writings he left behind have been highly esteemed and equated with the works of the world sages of old. 

When his native city was besieged by the Romans, resulting in a great famine, he extracted a promise from the Roman general that all who wished to leave the city should receive food and protection in the enemy camp. In this way, Anatolius saved women, children and the greater part of his fellow citizens from starvation. 

After leaving his native land, he went to Caesarea in Palestine, where Bishop Theotekus appointed him his successor. But when he passed through Laodicea on his return from the Second Council of Antioch, the clergy compelled him to remain there and administer their bishopric. He wrote various works and died in the middle of the 3rd century, around A.D. 250. 

Of Saint Eusebius, who is listed by the Bollandists* on July 3 (together with Saint Anatolius), nothing more is known than that he was also a native of Alexandria, came to Syria together with Saint Anatolius, then became bishop of Laodicea, and was succeeded in the episcopal dignity by Saint Anatolius, when he came there on his return journey from the Second Council of Antioch.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858, pp. 186-87)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Anatolius may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

➡️ More information about Saint Anatolius

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org