Saint Ananias of Damascus

Life story

Acts 9 introduces Ananias as a disciple living in Damascus. After Saul of Tarsus was struck blind on the road to Damascus, Ananias received a vision in which the Lord told him to go to the street called Straight, to the house of Judas, and look for a man from Tarsus named Saul who was praying. Ananias hesitated, because he had heard how much harm Saul had done to the believers in Jerusalem and that he had come to Damascus with authority from the chief priests. After being told that Saul was a chosen instrument, Ananias obeyed.

He entered the house, laid his hands on Saul and addressed him as brother. According to Acts, Saul immediately regained his sight, stood up and was baptised. In Acts 22, when Paul tells his own story, he describes Ananias as a devout man according to the Law and well spoken of by the Jews of Damascus. He is not the Ananias of Acts 5, who deceived the community along with his wife Sapphira, nor the high priest Ananias of Acts 23.

Scripture does not say how long Ananias lived or where he died. In Orthodox tradition he was one of the seventy disciples, became bishop of Damascus and died a martyr; the sources disagree on the details. The Orthodox Church keeps his feast on 1 October, and the Catholic Church on 25 January. An ancient chapel in Damascus is traditionally said to mark his house.

Works and witness

• Disciple in Damascus sent by the Lord to Saul (Acts 9)
• Laid hands on Saul, whose sight was restored
• Baptised the future apostle Paul
• Described by Paul as devout and respected by the Jews of Damascus (Acts 22)
• In Eastern tradition, bishop of Damascus and martyr

Saints from the same country

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Saint John of Damascus, Saints Cosmas and Damian, Saint Simeon Stylites

References

• New Testament – Acts of the Apostles
• Martyrologium Romanum
• Menologion of the Orthodox Church

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.