Abercius of Hierapolis

Abercius, Bishop of Hierapolis
Miniature from the Menologion of Basil II
Equal-to-the-Apostles
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church
Feast	October 22/November 4
Attributes	Vested as a bishop

Abercius of Hieropolis (Greek Αβέρκιος, died ca. 167) was a bishop of Hierapolis (modern Castabala) at the time of Marcus Aurelius, also known as Abercius Marcellus. He was supposedly the successor to Papias.

He is said to have evangelized Syria and Mesopotamia, and is on that basis referred to as one of the Equals-to-the-Apostles. He was imprisoned under Marcus Aurelius, and died about 167.

His feast day is celebrated on October 22 (for those churches which follow the Julian Calendar, October 22 occurs on the Gregorian Calendar date of November 4).

Several works are ascribed to him:

He is also the subject, and probable author, of the Inscription of Abercius, preserved in the Vatican Museum.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.