Evodius

Saint Evodius or Euodias (died circa 69) was an Early Christian bishop of Antioch, succeeding Saint Peter. He is regarded as one of the first identifiable Christians, and venerated as a saint.

Saint Evodius
Bishop of Antioch
Diocese	Antioch
See	Antioch
In office	Circa 53-66 A.D.
Predecessor	Saint Peter
Successor	Ignatius of Antioch
Personal details
Died	Circa 66 A.D. Antioch
Sainthood
Feast day	6 May (Catholic Church) 7 September (Eastern Orthodox Church)
Venerated in	Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodoxy Assyrian Church of the East Ancient Church of the East
Attributes	Bishop

Biography

Little is known of the life of Evodius.

At the time, Antioch was an opulent and cosmopolitan city where both Hellenized Jews and pagans were influenced by monotheism. According to the Book of Acts, one of the first evangelised communities were these Jews and pagans of Antioch. It was there that the term "Christian" was coined for these Gentiles, mainly Syrian and Greek converts.

Saint Peter became the bishop of Antioch and led the church there. Evodius is said to have been one of the pagans converted to Christianity due to the apostolic work of Saint Peter.

Evodius eventually succeeded Peter as bishop of Antioch when Peter left for Rome.[1]

Saint Evodius was bishop of Antioch until 66 AD, and was succeeded by Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Catholic tradition says it is likely that Saint Evodius died of natural causes, however, the Eastern Orthodox tradition holds that he was martyred under Emperor Nero in 66 AD.[2] As one of the first pagans to come to the new church, he is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church as well as in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in Oriental Orthodoxy including the Assyrian Church of the East. His feast day is 6 May in the Catholic Church and 7 September in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Notes

1. Chapman, John. "Evodius." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 28 Dec. 2014
2. "Apostle Evodius (Euodias) of the Seventy", Orthodox Church in America