Saint Hierotheus of Athens

Hierotheus was a Platonist philosopher and a member of the council of the Areopagus in Athens. According to tradition he accepted the Christian faith through the preaching of the Apostle Paul and was ordained first bishop of Athens; his pupil was Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, who praises him in his writings.

Some early synaxaria, such as that of M. Galanos, point out that according to the Acts of the Apostles it was Dionysius who first believed through Paul's preaching in Athens, so it is more likely that Hierotheus learned the faith later, from Dionysius himself.

He died peacefully in old age, after a long career as pastor and writer. His skull is kept at a monastery in Megara, while other relics of his survive on Mount Athos.