Apollinaris Claudius

This article is about the 2nd-century Christian leader and writer. For the 1st-century naval commander, see Claudius Apollinaris.

Saint Apollinaris Claudius (Greek: Απολλινάριος Κλαύδιος), otherwise Apollinaris of Hierapolis or Apollinaris the Apologist, was a Christian leader and writer of the 2nd century.

Saint Apollinaris Claudius
Apologist and Bishop of Hierapolis
Died	2nd century
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church
Canonized	Pre-congregation
Feast	January 8

Life

He was Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia and became famous for his polemical treatises against the heretics of his day, whose errors he showed to be entirely borrowed from the pagans. In 177 he published an "Apologia" for the Christians, addressed to Marcus Aurelius, and appealing to the Emperor's own experience with the "Thundering Legion", whose prayers won him the victory over the Quadi. The exact date of his death is not known, but it was probably while Marcus Aurelius was still Emperor.^[1]

Nothing survives of his writings except for a few extracts, the longest of which relates to the date of Passover. Eusebius makes mention of his work. His feast day is commemorated on January 8.^[2]