Apollinaris is remembered as the first bishop of Ravenna, in what is now northern Italy. Much of what is known about his life comes from early Christian tradition. He is said to have come from Antioch and to have been a disciple of Saint Peter, who sent him to Ravenna to preach the Gospel. He is usually placed in the first century, although the exact period of his life remains uncertain.
Being a Christian preacher in those days was not exactly a safe calling. Bishop Apollinaris gained followers in Ravenna, but his growing influence also brought trouble. He was beaten, driven out of the city, and persecuted more than once.
Still, he returned.
By then, he already knew the cost. He had experienced the violence himself, yet he continued his mission among the people he served.
Eventually, the violence caught up with him. He was severely beaten during another persecution. This time, he did not recover. He survived for several days before dying from his injuries.
It was not because they could not kill him. He returned even though he knew they could, choosing not to abandon the faith he preached and the people he had been sent to serve.
Today, we also have things we need to finish. Work we have left undone, promises we still need to keep, and people who depend on us. We may walk away when things get difficult, but if something is important enough, we can always find our way back and finish what we started.
Let’s keep learning the saints’ way—day by day.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ
