Saint Apostle Quadratus
of the Seventy.
Also known as Quadratus of Athens, Codratus, Kodratos, Κοδρᾶτος, Holy Apostle Quadratus, Quadratus the Apologist, Apostle Quadratus, Bishop of Athens
One of the Seventy Apostles, Quadratus preached in Athens and Magnesia, served as Bishop of Athens, and wrote an early Apology for Christianity addressed to Emperor Hadrian. He died imprisoned for the faith.
- Fell asleep
- c. 130 AD (traditional; sources differ)
- Feast day
- September 21 (New) · October 4 (Old)
Get a reminder on the feast in Orthodox Daily Companion →
Troparion of St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy
Tone 3
O Holy Apostle Quadratus,
pray to our merciful God
that He may grant to our souls
remission of our transgressions.
The life of St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy The Morning
Star Among the Clouds of Paganism
Saint Quadratus was a learned disciple of the Apostles, numbered among the Seventy. He preached in Athens and Magnesia and served as bishop. He is remembered as one of the first to defend the Christian faith in writing before a Roman emperor. He died imprisoned for Christ.
Early years
The Church's sources record almost nothing about the saint's family, birthplace, or youth. The Prologue from Ohrid says only that Quadratus was one of the Seventy and a disciple of the great Apostles. It adds that he was highly educated in secular wisdom and rich in the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Eusebius of Caesarea, in his Chronicle, calls Quadratus a "hearer of the Apostles." He places the apology of Quadratus in the years 124–125, during Hadrian's stay in Athens.
In the Church
Quadratus preached the Word of God at Athens and at Magnesia, in the eastern peninsula of Thessaly. According to the Prologue, he became bishop of Athens after Saint Publius, and afterward was bishop of Magnesia. His biographer called him a morning star shining among the clouds of paganism.
He wrote an Apologia in defense of Christianity, and only a fragment of it remains. In the Orthodox tradition it moved the Emperor Hadrian to order that no one be condemned without just cause. Eusebius says the work was still in circulation in his own day and showed both the author's understanding and his apostolic faith.
Later years
The saint's preaching converted many pagans and stirred up their hatred. The Prologue says they first stoned him, as the Jews once stoned Saint Stephen. Preserved by God, he remained alive, and he was imprisoned and died of starvation. His holy body was buried in Magnesia.
Sources differ on the date of his repose. The OCA and others place his suffering around 130, and the Synaxaristes mentions the reign of Hadrian (from 117) or, according to others, that of Marcus Aurelius (161–180).
Legacy and veneration
Saint Quadratus is commemorated on September 21 and on January 4 with the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles. The Orthodox Church honors him as an apostle, bishop, and defender of the faith. The Prologue's hymn of praise calls him a wise defender of the Holy Church, in word and deed.
His Apology is among the earliest known Christian defenses addressed to a Roman emperor. Britannica notes that only a fragment survives, preserved in Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History. Scholars also debate whether the apologist is the same man as the bishop of Athens.
Veneration of St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy How the saint's
memory is kept.
- Patronage
- Patron of Christian apologists, Defenders of the faith, The Church of Athens.
- Burial of Saint Quadratus
- Tradition states that the holy body of Saint Quadratus was buried in Magnesia, in the eastern peninsula of Thessaly. The sources consulted do not say where any relics are kept today.
- Iconography
- Saint Quadratus is depicted as one of the Seventy Apostles and as a bishop of Athens. An 11th-century miniature in the Menologion of Basil II shows his martyrdom. He also appears among the Seventy in icons of the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles on January 4. The sources consulted do not set out fixed iconographic conventions for him, such as particular vestments or attributes. Painters typically follow the general pattern for apostles and hierarchs.
Frequently asked Questions about
St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy.
- When is the feast day of Apostle Quadratus?
- The Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy on September 21. He is also remembered on January 4 with the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles. When the Leavetaking of the Elevation of the Cross coincides with September 21, the OCA notes that his service is sung on September 22.
- Who was Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy?
- Quadratus was a disciple of the Apostles and one of the Seventy. He preached in Athens and Magnesia and served as bishop of Athens after Saint Publius. Tradition says he was imprisoned by pagans and died of starvation.
- What did Saint Quadratus write?
- He wrote an Apology in defense of Christianity, addressed to the Emperor Hadrian. Only a short fragment survives, quoted by Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History (IV.3). It speaks of people healed or raised by Christ who were still alive.
- How did Saint Quadratus die?
- According to the OCA and OrthodoxWiki, a mob attacked him with stones, but God preserved him alive. He was then imprisoned, where he died of starvation. His body was buried in Magnesia. Sources date this to about 130, though the Synaxaristes also mentions the reign of Marcus Aurelius.
- Where is Saint Quadratus buried?
- The synaxarion tradition says his holy body was buried in Magnesia, in the eastern peninsula of Thessaly. The sources consulted do not name a present location for relics.
- Did Quadratus' Apology end Hadrian's persecution of Christians?
- The Orthodox synaxarion tradition holds that the Apology moved Hadrian to forbid convicting Christians without just cause. The Catholic Encyclopedia calls Eusebius' claim of a favorable edict incorrect. The Apology itself is lost apart from a fragment.
- What is the troparion of Apostle Quadratus?
- Tone 3: O Holy Apostle Quadratus, pray to our merciful God that He may grant to our souls remission of our transgressions.
- What is St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy the patron saint of?
- St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy is the patron saint of Christian apologists, Defenders of the faith, and The Church of Athens.
- Where are the relics of St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy?
- Tradition states that the holy body of Saint Quadratus was buried in Magnesia, in the eastern peninsula of Thessaly. The sources consulted do not say where any relics are kept today.
Kontakion of St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy
Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As a most honoured hierarch and athlete of great fortitude,
the world doth offer Apostle Quadratus now to Thee, O Lord most merciful;
as with hymns it doth honour his all-ven'rable memory,
it doth ask of Thee through him to grant forgiveness of failings to them that sing his praise.
Prayer to St. Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy
No prayer specific to Saint Quadratus was found in the established prayer books consulted. The faithful may ask his intercession with the troparion above.
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References and further reading
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2011/09/21/102683-apostle-quadratus-of-the-seventy
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2022/09/21
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/troparia/2019/09/21/102683-apostle-quadratus-of-the-seventy
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/troparia/2022/09/21/102682-leavetaking-of-the-elevation-of-the-cross
- orthodoxwiki.orghttps://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_Quadratus
- ochrid.orghttps://www.ochrid.org/september/21st
- vema.com.auhttps://vema.com.au/apostle-quadratus-of-the-seventy-21-september-3/
- ccel.orghttps://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201/npnf201.iii.ix.iii.html
- britannica.comhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Apology-for-Christianity
- catholic.comhttps://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/quadratus
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadratus_of_Athens
- greekboston.comhttps://www.greekboston.com/religion/st-quadratus/
- ancientfaith.comhttps://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/saintoftheday/44818/
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartus
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadratus_(martyr)
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_of_Athens
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asyncritus_of_Hyrcania
- oramaworld.comhttps://www.oramaworld.com/blog/lives-of-saints/saint-quadratus/
- catholic.orghttps://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4678
- orthodoxwiki.orghttps://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_Archbishops_of_Athens
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