Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, the disciple of Saint Paul, was a famous first-century bishop, theologian, and martyr from Athens. He is the author of some of the earliest theological treatises in the Church and an inexhaustible source of apostolic wisdom. Presented here for the first time in English is his authoritative biography written by the learned 9th-century monk Michael Syncellus, together with the story of his martyrdom in Gaul translated from an ancient Latin account. The picture that emerges is one of an inspired prophet, merciful pastor, and zealous missionary.

Unique to this edition is an in-depth introduction that examines the authenticity of Saint Dionysius' writings. Challenging the modern opinion that the Areopagitic Corpus is a late forgery, the book provides a meticulous analysis of the ideas, language, and historical reception of Dionysius' works to prove definitively that they were composed in the Apostolic age.