Pertinax of Byzantium

Who was Pertinax of Byzantium?

Pertinax was Bishop of Byzantium from 169 until his death in 187. Information on his life is mainly drawn from the works of Dorotheus of Tyre, according to whom he was originally a senior officer of the Roman Empire based in Thrace. When he contracted a disease, and heard the rumors of miracles occurring amongst the adherents of a new religion – Christianity – he sought advice from Bishop Alypius of Byzantium. When his disease was cured, he assumed it was the result of Alypius's prayers, and converted to Christianity. Shortly afterwards, he was ordained a priest by Alypius, and succeeded him as bishop after his death.