Dionysius the Areopagite

1st century A.D., Athenian scholar: converted to Christianity by Saint Paul c50.

* * *

flourished 1st century

Biblical figure, converted by St. Paul.

His conversion at Athens is mentioned in Acts 17:34, and he acquired a posthumous reputation largely through confusion with later Christians similarly named. Around AD 500, a series of influential Greek treatises uniting Neoplatonism and Christian theology were forged in his name; the writer, probably a Syrian monk, is now known as Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite.

* * *

▪ biblical figure

flourished 1st century AD

      biblical figure, converted by St. Paul at Athens (Acts 17:34), who acquired a notable posthumous reputation primarily through confusion with later Christians similarly named. In the 2nd century he was held to have been the first bishop of Athens, and in the 9th century he was identified with St. Denis of France. In about 500, probably in Syria, some writings were forged in his name by a Christian Neoplatonist with moderate Monophysite leanings. These writings, whose author is often referred to as Pseudo-Dionysius (Pseudo-Dionysius The Areopagite), became of decisive importance for the theology and spirituality of Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Catholicism. (See also Pseudo-Dionysius The Areopagite).

* * *