Bishop
During the reign of Marcus Aurelius, in the city of Hierapolis, there was a bishop named Saint Averky. He mourned for the pagans who worshipped idols and prayed to God for the salvation of their souls. After his prayer, a young man appeared to him, instructing him to destroy the idols. The saint took a staff and shattered the idols in the temple of Apollo, which incited the wrath of the priests and the people who sought his death.
Despite the threats, the saint went out to the people and began to preach about Christ. At that moment, demons began to torment the possessed youths, and the saint, after praying, cast them out, leading to a mass conversion of people to the faith. He baptized 500 individuals and healed the sick, including a blind woman named Friella, who regained her sight through his prayers.
The saint also healed the princess Lukilla, who was possessed by a demon, after which the demon, at his command, transported a stone from Rome to Hierapolis. Averky, not accepting riches, only asked for help for the poor and for the construction of baths at the hot springs.
Upon returning to Hierapolis, he continued to serve the people, caring for his flock and strengthening their faith. Before his death, he gathered the believers, warning them about the necessity of remaining in the faith. The saint died at the age of 73, and his body was buried with honors. Through the prayers of the saint, healings occurred from his grave and the hot springs.
