The Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens, Presbyter Rusticus and Deacon Eleutherius, preachers of the Gospel who died as martyrs in Gallic Lutetia, the ancient name of Paris.
Dionysius was born and received a classical education in Athens, and then studied astronomy in the Egyptian Iliopolis. According to church tradition, during the crucifixion of Christ, he and his friend Apollophon witnessed a solar eclipse and said: "This is either God, the Creator of the whole world, suffering, or this visible world is ending."
Returning to Athens, Dionysius was elected a member of the Areopagus. After hearing the sermon of the Apostle Paul (Acts. 17:16-34), he believed in Christ and became his disciple. Later, the apostle appointed Dionysius bishop of Athens. Tradition also tells us that the saint came to Jerusalem to see the Most Holy Theotokos, and was present at Her burial.
After the death of the Apostle Paul, Dionysius went to preach in Western countries. He was accompanied by Presbyter Rustik and Deacon Eleutherius. They preached the gospel in Rome, Germany, Spain, and Gaul. During the persecution in Lutetia, the saints were captured and imprisoned. According to the hagiography, Dionysius celebrated the Divine Liturgy at night, and the next morning the martyrs were beheaded. Legend has it that the saint lifted up his severed head and walked with it to the place where he was later buried. Church tradition dates their death to the year 96; some sources call the year 110.
Saint Dionysius is known not only as a preacher and a martyr, but also as a theologian. His works "On the Heavenly Hierarchy", "On the Church Hierarchy", "On Divine Names" and "On Mystical Theology" are associated with his name. They talk about the angelic orders, the Sacraments of the Church and the path of man to the Knowledge of God.
One of the main themes of the saint's theology is ascension to God through purification, enlightenment, and spiritual perfection. Pure heartfelt prayer, he teaches, does not bring God closer to man, but brings man himself closer to God. The works of St. Dionysius, known as the "Areopagitics," had a significant impact on Orthodox theology and were widely recognized in the Church.