2nd century

Saint Athenogenes

Saint Athenogenes is a Christian author praised by Saint Basil for his testimony on the divinity of the Holy Spirit. The historian Baronius suggests that he may be the true author of the apology for Christianity addressed to the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, often attributed to Athenagoras.

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    3 reading sections

    SAINT ATHENOGENES.

    Theology 01 / 03

    Testimony of Saint Athenogenes

    Saint Basil cites Athenogenes in his Treatise on the Holy Spirit as an authority confirming the divinity of the Holy Spirit.

    Saint Athenogenes was excellently praised by Saint Basil in his Trea tise on the Holy Spiri t. This great doctor cites his testimony in favor of the divinity of the Holy Sp irit.

    Context 02 / 03

    Homonymic distinction

    The text mentions the existence of another bishop of Sebaste bearing the same name to avoid any hagiographic confusion.

    There was also a bishop of S ebaste who bore the same name. He will be discussed further on.

    Source 03 / 03

    The Baronius Hypothesis

    The historian Baronius suggests that Athenogenes could be the true author of the Christian apology addressed to the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus.

    Baronius suspects that Saint Athenogenes might well be the author of the beautiful apology for Christianity addressed to the empe rors Marcus Aur elius a nd Commodus, and commonly attrib uted to an Athenagoras about whom absolutely nothing is known. According to this opinion, the name Athenagoras would be nothing more than an alteration of Athenogenes.

    Official source Les Petits Bollandistes, by Mgr Paul GUÉRIN, chamberlain to His Holiness Pius IX.

    Frequently asked questions about Saint Athenogenes

    Who was Saint Athenogenes?

    Saint Athenogenes is a Christian author praised by Saint Basil for his testimony on the divinity of the Holy Spirit. The historian Baronius suggests that he may be the true author of the apology for Christianity addressed to the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, often attributed to Athenagoras.

    Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Athenogenes?

    Contemporaries include: Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (First Bishop of Paris), Saint Pothinus and his companions (Martyrs of Lyon), Saint Benignus of Smyrna and Jesus Christ (Relics of the Passion).

    What are the other names of Saint Athenogenes?

    Other forms of the name: Athénagore.

    Annexes & related entities

    Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.

    Key Events

    1. Cited by Saint Basil in his Treatise on the Holy Spirit
    2. Possible identification as the author of an apology for Christianity under Marcus Aurelius and Commodus