Today is Saturday September 21 according to anniversary is commemorated of Saint Kodratos the Apostle, the Hieromartyr and Bishop of Athens and the Prophet Jonah one of the minor prophets.

The names celebrating today are as follows:

Ionas, Ionas, Ion, Ionia.

Agios Kodratos

Saint Kodratos the Apostle became the bishop of Athens in the city where the various philosophical schools were still flourishing and a bishop with great apologetic ability was needed.

The divinely inspired words of the Apostle of God, Peter, advise: “Be ready to make an apology to everyone who hears you about the hope in you with meekness and fear” (1st Epistle of Peter, 3.15).

Which means, always be ready to make an apology and defend the truth of the Gospel to anyone who asks you for a reason and a proof of what you hope to enjoy in the future, and for which the unbelievers deride us. Apologize, however, without heat and fanaticism, but with meekness and fear of God.

Such a great apologist was the apostle Kodratos. A modest man, wise, highly educated and with excellent dialectical skills. Kodratos having these qualities, worked with zeal, prayer and meekness.

Thus he managed to illuminate the path of Truth for many and silence the philosophers. They, unable to confront him with words, expelled him by force from Athens. However, Kodratos’ opinion did not change. He went to Magnesia in Asia Minor, where he boldly preached the Gospel there as well.

He even wrote an apology for Christianity to Hadrian. Hadrian’s response was to kill him. Thus the great apologist took the crown of martyrdom.