Saint Zoticus
Martyr and Bishop of Comana
Died204
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
CanonizedPre-congregation
Feast21 July

Zoticus was a 3rd-century martyr and bishop of Comana (also spelled Conana or Comama). Zoticus is known for his opposition to the Montanist heresy.[1] He in 204 a martyr.[1] A life of Zoticus, the Vita Zotici, was written during the reign of Michael IV (1034–41). The town of Saint-Zotique, Quebec is named for him, as is Rue St Zotique in Montreal.

Biography

Zoticus of Comana is sometimes identified with Comana in Cappadocia,[1] but other sources dispute this identification,[2] and suggest a Comana in Italy.[3] Zoticus is known for his opposition to the Montanist heresy.[1][4]Sometime in the 3rd century Bishop Zoticus and Bishop Julian of Apamea went to a town called Pepuza to exorcize demons from Maximilla. While in Papuza they muzzled the followers of Themiso to stop them from spreading falsehood[5], and Zoticus tried to prove Maximilla why Montanism was wrong.[6][7]Zoticus' exorcism was stopped by followers of Themiso.[8] Zoticus became a martyr during the persecution of Septimius Severus,[3] around the year 204.[1] Zoticus lived in Constantinople. While in Constantinople he founded either an orphanage or a leprosarium in Pera on the Galatia Hill. [9]Zoticus was executed by Constantius II.[10]A life of Zoticus, the Vita Zotici, was written during the reign of Michael IV (1034–41). The town of Saint-Zotique, Quebec is named for him, as is Rue St Zotique in Montreal.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Butler, Alban. Lives of the Saints, Vol. VII, 1866
  2. ^ Comana
  3. ^ a b St. Zoticus Catholic Online
  4. ^ Holweck, Frederick George (1924). A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints: With a General Introduction on Hagiology Volume 1. B. Herder Book Company.
  5. ^ Church History: Life of Constantine the Great ;and Oration in Praise of Constantine. Christian Literature Company. 1890. ((cite book)): |first= missing |last= (help)
  6. ^ McKechnie, Paul (2019). Christianizing Asia Minor:Conversion, Communities, and Social Change in the Pre-Constantinian Era. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-110-848-146-5.
  7. ^ Durell, J.C.V (1997). The Historic Church: An Essay on the Conception of the Christian Church and Its Ministry in the Sub-apostolic Age. Wipf & Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-157-910-075-9.
  8. ^ Bacon, Benjamin Wisner (1910). The Fourth Gospel in Research and Debate: A Series of Essays on Problems Concerning the Origin and Value of the Anonymous Writings Attributed to the Apostle John. Moffat, Yard.
  9. ^ Miller, David Henry (1990). Abstracts of Papers: Byzantine Studies Conference Volumes 16-19. Byzantine Studies Conference. ((cite book)): line feed character in |title= at position 50 (help)
  10. ^ Miller, Timothy S (2003). The Orphans of Byzantium: Child Welfare in the Christian Empire. Catholic University of America Press. ISBN 978-081-321-313-2.


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