Hierarch Saint Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch

Saint Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch (early 4th century – 381), was born into a noble family in Melitene, Armenia Minor. Around 357 he was made bishop of Sebasteia, but soon left that see and withdrew to Beroea in Syria. In 360 Emperor Constantius elevated him to the see of Antioch, but Meletius quickly proved a defender of the orthodox teaching that the Son is of one essence with the Father, provoking the Arian-leaning emperor to exile him.

His repeated returns and further banishments gave rise to the long-running "Meletian Schism" at Antioch, as part of the flock loyal to him refused to recognize Paulinus, a rival bishop backed by the Western Church and Alexandria. Meletius was renowned as a teacher and wonderworker; a famous episode recounts him showing the dogma of the Trinity by raising three fingers, then folding two, while light reportedly shone from his hand.

He baptized the future Saint John Chrysostom and ordained Saint Basil the Great to the diaconate. In 381 he presided over the opening sessions of the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople but died before it concluded. Saint Gregory of Nyssa delivered his funeral oration.