Acacius of Melitene

Saint Acacius was bishop of Melitene in Armenia, and laboured against Nestorius, as close ally of Saint Cyril of Alexandria, at the Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus in 431. He fell asleep around 435 to 438. The Church remembers him on 17 April.

He was born around 370 into a pious family at Melitene. His parents, long childless, vowed to give him to God, and he was raised by the bishop of Melitene, Otreius, who taught him and raised him through all the grades of service, from reader to priest. After Otreius's death he was made bishop and became known for wise governance. According to his Life he had from his lifetime the gift of working miracles. At the Council of Ephesus he upheld the confession of the two natures of Jesus Christ, divine and human, and His seedless birth from the Mother of God, and he distinguished himself alongside Cyril. He gave a homily at Ephesus and wrote two letters to Cyril, who answered with two. His successor was Constantine of Melitene. He fell asleep in peace after a long and zealous ministry.