Saint Hierotheos of Athens: Philosopher, Bishop, Hymnographer at the Dormition

The post commemorates Saint Hierotheos, first Bishop of Athens, on October 4. Before his conversion around 52-53 AD, he was a Platonic philosopher and member of the Areopagus, holding the title Thesmothete. When Apostle Paul preached at Mars Hill, Hierotheos and Saint Dionysius the Areopagite accepted baptism. Paul consecrated Hierotheos as bishop of the nascent Athenian church.

Hierotheos became spiritual mentor to Dionysius; Paul provided foundational teaching while Hierotheos initiated Dionysius into deeper mystical secrets, which Dionysius later expanded. Ecclesiastical tradition records that the Holy Spirit transported Hierotheos and Dionysius to Jerusalem for the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. There Hierotheos distinguished himself as a divine hymnographer, transported outside himself while singing spiritual songs in praise of the Theotokos.

He died a martyr in the late first century after defending the faith and evangelizing the pagan population of Athens.