October 20
Cornelius the Centurion
Centurion
Cornelius the Centurion was a Roman centurion and, according to the New Testament, the first Gentile to be baptized into the Christian faith.
Biography
He was captain of a century of the Roman army in Caesarea Maritima, approximately fifty kilometers north of present-day Tel Aviv, Israel. Cornelius was known for being a just and pious man, who liked to help others.
According to the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Cornelius had a vision in which an angel commanded him to look for the apostle Saint Peter, who was then preaching in Jaffa. The centurion sent for him and Saint Peter appeared with him.
As a result of the conversation they had, Saint Peter told him: «God is no respecter of persons, but is pleased with every nation that fears him and practices justice. [...] Can the water of baptism be denied to these, who received the Holy Spirit like us?
Saint Peter then baptized all the Gentiles present, beginning with Saint Cornelius the Centurion. According to tradition, Saint Cornelius was appointed bishop of Caesarea or Scepsis, near present-day Bayramiç, Türkiye.
The conversion of Saint Cornelius had enormous significance, because until then the faith of Jesus had not extended to people who were not of the Jewish people. In what was the first council of Christianity, the Council of Jerusalem, around the year 50, Saint Peter explained his position, advocating together with Saint Paul and James to preach among the Gentiles.
Practical advice
Respectfully welcome a person different from yourself and recognize in them a concrete work of God.