Saint of the Day – 22 February – St Abilius (Died c98) the 2nd Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. He was the 2nd Bishop of Alexandria. He was Ordained by Saint Mark the Evangelist and was also the first convert Mark won to Christianity in the region. Also known as – Abilio, Abitius, Abylius, Avilio, Avilius, Anamia, Melyos, Mielo, Milius, Sabellius’
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Alexandria, St Abilius, Bishop, who was the 2nd shepherd of the City after St Mark and administered his charge with eminent piety.”
As St Mark was entering Rakotis, a suburb of Alexandria, after his travels from Cyrene, the strap of his sandal detached itself. He found a cobbler, Abilius, to repair it. While he was working on the sandal, the awl slipped in Abilius’ hand, piercing it. Anianus cried out “God is One – Heis ho Theos” in response to the pain. Mark took the opportunity to preach the Gospel to him, at the same time miraculously healing Abilius’ hand of its wound.
Mark was invited to Agilius’ house, where he taught him and his family the Gospel and, thereafter, Baptised them all. A large number of natives of the area were quickly converted by Mark too causing those pagans, who did not convert, to defend their local gods against the new Faith.
Mark, the outsider, decided it might be best if he were to leave the area for a while. He Ordained Abilius and Consecrated him as the Bishop in his absence. He also Ordained three Priests and seven Deacons, charging them with the care of the Church in his absence.
Mark was gone for a period of two years, during which time tradition believes that he attended St Peter in Rome. Abiliuss and his Priests, the meantime, spread the Gospel in the region, performing miracles and winning many to Christ. On Mark’s return, he found the Church in Alexandria had grown significantly and they were able to build a Church at Bucolia on the shore of the Alexandrian eastern harbour.
Following St Mark’s Martyrdom Abilius took his place in the Church in Alexandria. He would remain in that capacity for over seventeen years. During that time, the number of Christians in the area grew significantly and Abilius Ordained new Priests and Deacons for the growing Church. The extent of the evangelisation they performed is unknown, although it has been thought by some that it was done at least somewhat covertly, given the hostility the pagan population demonstrated to the new Faith.
Abilius died in bed and was buried next to St Mark at the Church in Baucalis. Later, as we know, St Mark’s Relics were translated to Venice.
AnaStpaul 