Achillius of Larissa

Saint Achillius of Larissa, also known as Achilles,^[1] Ailus,^[2] Achillas,^[1] or Achilius^[3] (Greek: Άγιος Αχίλλειος), was one of the 318 persons present at the First Council of Nicaea. His feast day is on 15 May.

Life and legend

Achillius was metropolitan of Larissa in Thessaly, Greece, and is remembered primarily for his vehement defense of orthodoxy during the Council of Nicea and a miracle he performed in testimony against Arianism.

Taking up a stone, Achillius called to the Arians: 'If Christ is a creature of God, as you say, tell oil to flow from this stone.' The heretics kept silent, amazed at this demand by St. Achillius. Then the saint continued: 'And if the Son of God is equal to the Father, as we believe, then let oil flow from this stone.' And oil flowed out, to the amazement of all.^[2]

Upon returning from the Council, Achillius is reputed to have "cast down many pagan temples, built many churches, [and] cast out many demons".^[4] The 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia makes issue to reference Achillius in its article about the bishopric of Larissa.

We must mention especially, St. Achilius, in the fourth century, whose feast is on 15 May, and who is celebrated for his miracles.^[3]

Veneration

Achillius died in Larissa in the year 330. When Samuel, King of Macedonia, conquered Thessaly, he translated the relics of Achillius to Prespa, to an island in a lake that was subsequently named after the saint.^[5] A district of Larissa is called Saint Achellios after this saint.

Notes

External links

• Achilles, Bishop of Larissa, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: Apolytikion, kontakion, and a reading for 15 May
• Icon of Achillios at OramaWorld.com
• Basilica of St. Achilleios at Lake Prespa from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture
• Achillios: article on the islet which houses the ruins of the basilica
• (Norwegian) Den hellige Achilles av Larissasr:Ахил Лариски