Saint Publius of Malta

detail of an antique Italian holy card of Saint Publius of Malta by Bertoni, date unknown; swiped from Santi e BeatiAlso known as

  • Publius of Athens

Memorial

Profile

Chief or prefect of the island of Malta, and a land-owner. He cared for Saint Paul when the apostle stopped there when being taken to Rome, Italy as prisoner. Paul cured Publius’ father of fever and dysentery. May have been the first bishop of Malta; other writers claim he became bishop of Athens. Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Trajan; he was approximately 92 years old at the time, and was Malta‘s first acknowledged saint.

Died

Canonized

Patronage

Additional Information

Readings

In the vicinity of that place were lands belonging to a man named Publius, the chief of the island. He welcomed us and received us cordially as his guests for three days. It so happened that the father of Publius was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and, after praying, laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had taken place, the rest of the sick on the island came to Paul and were cured. They paid us great honor and when we eventually set sail they brought us the provisions we needed. – Acts 28:7-10, New American Bible

MLA Citation

  • “Saint Publius of Malta“. CatholicSaints.Info. 20 January 2024. Web. 28 March 2024. <>