Posted in FATHERS of the Church, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 5 March – Saint Theophilus of Caesarea (Died c217) Bishop

Saint of the Day – 5 March – Saint Theophilus of Caesarea (Died c217) Bishop, Theologian, Writer , Apologist and Defender of the Faith. Born in Caesarea, Palestine and died c195 of natural causes. Also known as – Theophilus of Palestine.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Caesarea, in Palestine, in the time of the Emperor, Severus, St Theophilus, Bishop, who was conspicuous for his wisdom and the purity of his life.”

St Theophilus at Notre-Dame Basilica, Geneva (Switzerland)

Saint Theophilus was born in Caesarea in Palestine around 110. He was educated in a Christian environment and soon became a leader of the local Church. In 189 he was appointed as the Bishop of Caesarea.

He was a prolific Theologian and wrote several works, including the “Letter to Autolycus” an apologetic work defending Christianity against pagan accusations. In this work, Theophilus argues that Christianity is the true religion and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Theophilus was an important leader of the Church. He was one of the main supporters of celebrating Easter on Sunday, according to Western tradition. In 190, he attended a Synod in Caesarea, in which it was decided that Easter would be celebrated on Sunday.

He died in Caesarea of ​​Palestine around 217. He was officially Canonised in the 16th Century with a Feast today, 5 March.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours / Our Lady of Good Help, Montreal(1657) and the Saints for 5 March

St Adrian of Caesarea
St Caron
St Carthach the Elder
Bl Christopher Macassoli of Vigevano
St Clement of Santa Lucia
St Colman of Armagh
St Conon of Pamphylia
Bl Conrad Scheuber
Bl Dietmar von Minden
St Eusebius of Cremona
St Eusebius the Martyr
St Gerasimus of Palestine (Died c475) Monk, Hermit
Bl Giovanna Irrizaldi

St Oliva of Brescia
St Phocas of Antioch

Bl Roger
Bl Romeo of Limoges
St Theophilus of Caesarea (Died c217) Bishop