St. Apollinaris was one of the first great martyrs of the
church. He was made Bishop of Ravenna by St. Peter. The miracles
he conducted in Ravenna soon attracted official attention, for
they and his preaching won many converts to the faith. However,
at the same time, his words and works brought upon the fury of
the pagan people who beat Apollinaris cruelly on several
occasions. During one beating, Apollinaris was cut with knives,
and scalding hot water poured over his wounds, then put on a
ship to be sent to Greece. In Greece the same course of
preachings, and miracles, and sufferings continued. In fact,
after a cruel beating by Greek pagans, he was sent back to
Italy. When Emperor Vespasian issued a decree of banishment
against the Christians, Apollinaris was kept hidden for some
time, but as he was leaving, passing through the gates of the
city, he was attacked and savagely beaten. He lived for seven
days, foretelling that the persecutions would increase, but that
the Church would ultimately triumph.