Story
St. Ananias the Apostle was a disciple of the city of Damascus in the first generation of the Church, a faithful and devout man who walked blamelessly according to the law and was well spoken of by all who knew him. The Lord chose him for a service that would echo through all the ages of the Church.
When Saul of Tarsus, breathing threats against the disciples, was struck down on the road to Damascus and blinded by the light of Christ, the Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision and called him by name. Though Ananias had heard of the evils Saul had done to the saints, he obeyed his Master, went to the house where Saul lay, and laid his hands upon him, saying, "Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me." At once something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he received his sight, and Ananias baptized him. Thus by the hand of Ananias the great persecutor was made the chosen vessel and herald of the nations, the Apostle Paul.
The apostles appointed St. Ananias bishop of Damascus, and he labored there in preaching and teaching, confessing Christ boldly before Jews and Gentiles alike without fear. He went also to the city of Beth-Gabriel, where God wrought many great wonders by his hands and healed many of their infirmities, so that multitudes of Jews and Gentiles believed and were baptized with their households.
When Lucianus the governor learned of his preaching, he seized the saint and pressed him to sacrifice to idols. Ananias confessed the Lord steadfastly, and the governor tortured him cruelly, burning his sides with fiery torches. At last he led him outside the city and commanded that he be stoned. Praying for those who slew him, St. Ananias delivered up his pure soul into the hands of the Lord and received the unfading crown of martyrdom. The Coptic Orthodox Church commemorates him on 27 Paona.