Publius of Malta

Saint Publius, hieromartyr, is held to be the first bishop of Malta and one of the first bishops of Athens, who died a martyr in the second century. The Acts of the Apostles call him the chief man of the island, by whom the Apostle Paul was hosted after the shipwreck. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 21 January, and the Catholic Church on 22 January.

In the Acts of the Apostles

According to the account in chapter 28 of the Acts of the Apostles, the ship carrying Paul to Rome to be tried by the emperor was wrecked in a storm at the island of Melita, which scholars identify with Malta. The chief man of the island, Publius, received Paul and his companions and lodged them for three days. Publius's father was sick with fever and dysentery, and Paul prayed, laid his hands on him and healed him.

Tradition

According to the tradition of the Church, Publius then believed in Christ and became the first bishop of Malta. The Maltese hold that through him the island was the first Christian country of the West. He shepherded the Church there for about thirty years. Then, around 90, he was chosen bishop of Athens, as successor to bishops there. Catholics place him after Dionysius the Areopagite. Other sources, following a letter of Dionysius of Corinth, make him successor of Narcissus of Athens and place his death in the persecution under Marcus Aurelius. According to the more widespread tradition he died a martyr around 125, in the persecution of Emperor Hadrian. The exact years are not certain.

Veneration

Publius is the first saint of Malta. He is one of the three patrons of the island, together with the Apostle Paul and Saint Agatha of Sicily, and the patron of the town of Floriana. Many streets in Malta bear his name. Some recent sources note that the old Maltese gave him little honour in the services, and in recent times he has been brought to light again as the saint of the island. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 21 January, and some sources give 13 March.