Acacius Agathangelus

Saint Acacius (Acathius, Achates), also called Agathangelos, that is "good angel", a hierarch, was bishop of Melitene (today Malatya in Turkey) in the third century, and died around 251. Melitene was the capital of the Roman province of Second Armenia; he is sometimes called bishop of Antioch. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on different days, especially 31 March, but also 15 September, the day of the translation of his relics, and the Armenian Church on 22 March. He is not to be confused with the later Acacius of Melitene, of the fifth century, opponent of Nestorius and participant at the Council of Ephesus in 431.

He lived in the time of the persecution of Decius. It is certain that he was summoned before the tribunal of Marcian to give an account of his faith, but it is not certain that he died for it. He was indeed condemned to death, but his prudence and constancy so impressed the emperor that he obtained his release from prison after he had suffered considerable torment. He was known both for the splendour of his doctrinal teaching and for the miracles he worked.