July 20: Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr

Tireless Missionary of the Gospel

Saint Apollinaris, regarded as the first Bishop of Ravenna, lived around the middle of the 2nd century. Ancient inscriptions found in the area of Classe show that a well-organized Christian community already existed in Ravenna at a very early date.

The first sources that mention Apollinaris are liturgical. The Hieronymian Martyrology, based on an early Italian calendar, refers to him as a "confessor" and "priest." Peter Chrysologus, the prominent 5th-century Bishop of Ravenna, also affirms in Sermon 128 that Apollinaris was the first bishop of the city, who worked tirelessly for his Christian community and, though he did not die by execution, should be considered a martyr due to the many sufferings he endured.

Later, a text called the Passio Sancti Apollinaris added many other details. According to this account, Apollinaris was originally from Antioch and was sent to Ravenna to preach the Gospel by Saint Peter. In the city, he performed numerous miracles but was eventually exiled. Nevertheless, he continued his mission in the East. Upon returning to Ravenna, he faced new persecutions and died on July 23 as a result of the wounds he had sustained.

Some scholars believe this Passio is not entirely reliable, as it may reflect the tensions between the Church of Ravenna and the Church of Rome—especially during the period around 666, when Ravenna sought to assert its independence. Still, certain elements of the legend may have a basis in reality, such as the presence of many Easterners in Classe, among whom Apollinaris might have carried out his apostolic work, or the existence of episcopi vagantes, bishops who moved from place to place without a fixed See.

While the tradition that he was sent by Saint Peter is historically unlikely, it may reflect Ravenna’s ancient rivalry—not so much with Rome, but with Milan.

The veneration of Saint Apollinaris was very strong in Ravenna, where the magnificent Basilica of Classe was built in his honor. It is adorned with stunning mosaics and houses his relics. His devotion spread to other Italian cities as well, including Rome and Milan, and even reached Germany. Today, he is honored as the Patron Saint of the Emilia-Romagna region.