Saint Apollonius (died around 186) is a 2nd century Christian martyr and apologist who is not to be confused with Apollinaris Claudius, an apologist of the same time frame. Events Births April 4 - Caracalla, Roman emperor (+ 217) Deaths Categories: 186 ... Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians call Jesus Christ, and New Testament accounts of his life and teachings. ... Historically, a martyr is a person who dies for their convictions or religious faith, such as during the persecution of early Christians in the Roman Empire. ... Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of a position. ... Saint Apollinaris Claudius, otherwise Apollinaris of Hierapolis or Apollinaris the Apologist, was a Christian leader and writer of the 2nd century. ...

Emperor Marcus Aurelius had softened the perseuction of Christians during his reign, and was replaced on his death by Commodus, who was a notoriously vicious ruler, yet he relaxed the persecution of Christians further. Apollonius converted to Christianity some time around the last years of Aurelius, and some time around 186 one of Apollonius's slaves, a man named Severus, formally accused his master of being Christian (and therefore of denying the emperor cult of Rome). Severus himself was executed, under a law of Aurelius stipulating that anyone accusing another of being a Christian must himself be put to death. However, Christianity was still illegal, and Apollonius was arrested. Commodus referred his case to the Senate of Rome for settlement, and Apollonius composed an eloquent apology for the senators, saying, Marcus Aurelius Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (April 26, 121 – March 17, 180) was Roman Emperor from 161 to his death. ... Commodus Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (originally Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus) (August 31, 161–December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192. ... Events Births April 4 - Caracalla, Roman emperor (+ 217) Deaths Categories: 186 ... The Roman Senate (Lat. ...

". . . if it were a delusion (as you assert) which tells us that the soul is immortal, and that there is a judgment after death and a reward of virtue at the resurrection, and that God is the Judge, we would gladly be carried away by such a lie as that, which has taught us to lead good lives awaiting the hope of the future even while suffering adversities."

His appeal was in vain and Apollonius was beheaded. His feast day in the Roman Catholic Church is April 18. The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organising a liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with a saint, and referring to the day as the saints day of that saint. ... Catholic Church redirects here. ... April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). ...