Apollonius of Tyana
One of many pagan holy men in the first
century A.D., Apollonius was a follower of the Greek philosopher
Pythagorus. He let his hair grow long, was a strict vegetarian, wore no article of clothing made from an animal substance, went barefoot, and remained celibate. He traveled throughout India,
Greece, Italy, Spain and Egypt. Legend credits him with miraculous
cures, such as healing the lame and the blind, and other displays
of divine power. A temple was built with a statue of him in his home town of Tyana for local worship. Theologians such as Cardinal
Newman doubt Apollonius actually performed the miracles he is
credited with. |
