Athenodorus of Byzantium

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Athenodorus was Bishop of Byzantium from 144 till 148AD.

Athenodorus succeded Polycarpus II as Bishop of Byzantium probably in 144. In the patriarchal lists of Patriarch Nikiforos and Nikiforos Kallistos he is named Athenodorus, whereas in other lists he is found under the name Athenogenes. During his bishopric, the tyrant Zeuxippos was governing the City, and there was a rapid increase of christian population.

Bishop Athenodorus left Argyroupolis - the old bishopric residence - and built a temple in the area of Elaia. From that time forth, Byzantium Bishops lived and held services in the new temple of the diocese - the temple of Elaia.

This temple was afterwards rebuilt by Constantine the Great with splendour, because he wished to be buried in it. Nonetheless, it was decided that emperors' bodies should not be buried outside the city of Byzantium so another place was reserved for his burial.