Firmilian

Who they were

Firmilian, of a noble Cappadocian family, was a friend of St Gregory the Wonderworker and a disciple of Origen. As Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia he had a reputation comparable to that of St Cyprian.

He opposed the antipope Novatian, and in the baptismal controversy sided with St Cyprian. He died about 269.

The miracles

The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe how he came to be honoured as a saint.

Why that counted as sanctity

A learned bishop of the third century.

Connected on this site

• Pope Dionysius of Alexandria Saint
  “He had a contemporary reputation comparable to that of Dionysius of Alexandria or Cyprian, bishop of Carthage.” — Wikipedia
• Stephen I Saint
  “He took an active part in the mid-3rd century controversies over rebaptising heretics and readmitting lapsed Christians after the persecutions of Decius and was excommunicated by Pope Stephen I for his position.” — Wikipedia