Saint Kodratos the Apostle “of Magnesia”
Date of celebration: 21/09
The 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” (1 Peter, 3:15), which means, always be ready to excuse and defend the truth of the Gospel to every one who asks you for reason and proof of those things which you hope to enjoy hereafter, and for which the infidels 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. He became bishop of Athens, in the city where the various philosophical schools were still flourishing and a bishop with great apologetic ability was needed. 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.
