The Sixth Age
Marcus is made first Gentile bishop of Jerusalem; fifteen Jewish bishops having presided nearly 107 years from the Lord's passion.
A.M. 4112 [161].
Antonius Pius receives from Justin his defence of Christianity.
[A.D. 139.]Antoninus, surnamed the Pious, with his sons Aurelius and Lucius, reigned 22 years and 3 months. Justin the philosopher delivered to him a book on Christianity, and brought him to regard the Christians with favour. This man, not long after, shed his blood for Christ, under Pius, bishop of Rome, when Crescens the Cynic stirred up a persecution. A pastor named Hermes wrote a book, which gives the command of an angel that Easter should be kept on the Lord's day. Polycarp, disciple of St John.Polycarp, by coming St. John. to Rome, delivered from the infection of heresy many who had been latterly corrupted by the doctrines of Valentine and Cerdon.
A.M. 4131 [180].
- ↑ Sec Bede's Ecclesiastical History, B. I. Chap. IV.