Saint Hypatius of Gangra
Saint Hypatius of Gangra (born c. 270 AD; died c. 326 AD near Gangra, Paphlagonia, modern Turkey) was a Bishop of Gangra in Paphlagonia (modern northern Turkey) who presided over the Council of Gangra around 340 AD — an important early regional council — and was subsequently martyred by a mob, reportedly Novatianist heretics. He is venerated in both the Latin and Eastern Churches. His feast day is November 14 in the West and March 14 in the East.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Hypatius of Gangra
| Saint Hypatius of Gangra | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 14 (West); March 14 (East) |
| Profession | Bishop; martyr; council president |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church; Bishop of Gangra; president of the Council of Gangra |
| Patronage | Gangra; Paphlagonia; bishops; those suffering from heresy or schism |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; palm (martyr); stones (stoning); council documents |
| Birthplace | Unknown; possibly Paphlagonia, Asia Minor |
| Death Place | Near Gangra, Paphlagonia, Asia Minor (modern Çankırı Province, Turkey) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; stoned and stabbed by a mob (identified in ancient sources as Novatianists) while returning from a synod; c. 326 AD |
| Primary Shrine | Çankırı (Gangra), Turkey — the site of his episcopal see and martyrdom; venerated in Eastern Christianity |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast November 14; observed in local calendars and Eastern Churches (March 14) |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; locally observed |
Biography
Hypatius served as Bishop of Gangra in Paphlagonia (modern north-central Turkey) in the early 4th century. He presided over the Council of Gangra, a regional synod held around 340 AD that addressed extreme ascetic rigorism — particularly the teachings of Eustathius of Sebaste, who was promoting such radical renunciation that it disrupted family life and the normal order of the Church. The council issued 21 canons defending the goodness of marriage, ordinary food, and property while still affirming the value of legitimate asceticism. These canons were received into the canonical traditions of both East and West.
Returning from a synod (the Nicene Council of 325 according to some sources), Hypatius was attacked by a group identified in ancient sources as Novatianists. He was stoned and stabbed, dying from his wounds. He was immediately venerated as a martyr.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Unknown; possibly Paphlagonia, Asia Minor
Death location: Near Gangra, Paphlagonia, Asia Minor (modern Çankırı Province, Turkey)
Notable location: His episcopal see as Bishop of Gangra; the Council of Gangra was held here c. 340 AD under his presidency; the council issued 21 canons regulating ascetic practice and condemned excessive rigorism; the canons were received into the broader canonical tradition of both East and West (Gangra, Paphlagonia, Asia Minor (modern Çankırı, Turkey))
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Feast day
November 14 (West); March 14 (East)
Veneration
Saint Hypatius of Gangra is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church on November 14 and in the Eastern Churches on March 14.
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