DIONYSIUS (Arcopagita), was born at Athens, and educated there. He went afterwards to Heliopolis in Egypt; where, if we may believe some writers of his life, he saw that wonderful eclipse which happened at our Saviour's passion, and was urged by some extraordinary impulse to cry out, Aut Deus patitur, aut cum patiente dolet; "either God himself suffers, or condoles with him who does." At his return to Athens he was elected into the court of Arcopagus, from whence he derived his name of Arcopagita. About the year 50 he embraced Christianity; and, as some say, was appointed first bishop of Athens by St Paul. Of his conversion we have an account in the 17th Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.—He is supposed to have suffered martyrdom; but whether under Domitian, Trajan, or Adrian, is not certain. We have nothing remaining under his name, but what there is the greatest reason to believe spurious.