Saint of the Day – 10 June – St Asterius (Died c364) Bishop of Petra, in Arabia and Confessor, Defender of the true Faith against the heresy of the Arians, surviving banishment and persecution to protect St Athanasius and the holy Church.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Petra, in Arabia, St Asterius, a Bishop, who suffered much from the Arians for the Catholic Faith. He was banished, by the Emperor Constantius, to Africa where he died a glorious Confessor.”
In 343, Emperor Constantius II an Arian sympathiser, convened the Council of Sardica to resolve the theological controversies which were desiccating the Church. Among the participants was Asterius, sent by the Arians to accuse Saint Athanasius, a staunch defender of orthodox doctrine.
However, during the work of the Council, Asterius had the opportunity to witness, first-hand, the machinations and falsehoods of the heretics. In an act of extraordinary moral and spiritual integrity, he decided to abandon the Arian and instead, he supported and agreed with Saint Athanasius, publicly denouncing the Arians’ perfidy.
Asterius’ choice did not fail to provoke harsh reactions from the Arians, who threatened and persecuted him. But his faith was unshakable. Despite intimidation and obstacles, he remained faithful to his principles, demonstrating extraordinary courage. His testimony became a symbol of resistance against doctrinal oppression and a shining example for all those who were called to defend the truth of the Faith.
The date of Saint Asterius’ death is uncertain,but it is assumed to have occurred around the middle of the 4th Century.
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